Joplin dentist receives probation for interfering in fatal hit and run

There will be no jail time for the Joplin dentist charged for interfering in a fatal hit-and-run accident.

A judge in southeast Kansas on Tuesday sentenced John H. Joseph, II to 12 months of probation.

In October of this year, Joseph entered a plea of no contest on charges that he interfered with law enforcement in the crash that took the life of 60-year-old Gary LaTurner of Galena, Kansas.

Prosecutors at that time dropped a second charge of contributing to child misconduct.

LaTurner was hit and killed by a vehicle while walking on K-66 west of Galena in 2023. The driver of the vehicle then left the scene of the accident.

Prosecutors said John Joseph’s son, Rocco Joseph, was the driver of that vehicle.

Rocco Joseph faces charges in connection with that incident.

Charges were filed against John Joseph II because the investigation revealed that he and his son returned the scene of the accident but left without reporting the crash to police.

Dr. Joseph faced a possible penalty of up to 13 years in the Kansas Department of Corrections and a fine of up to $100,000.