Joplin Police Department issues update on fatal crash

The Joplin Police Department has issued an update on a fatal accident that occurred at 20th & Schifferdecker around 7:44 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 8th.

The Joplin Police Department’s Major Crash Team was able to determine that a passenger vehicle was stopped at a steady red light facing south bound in the left hand turn lane at the intersection of 20th and Schifferdecker. The passenger car was waiting to make a east bound turn onto 20th Street.

When the light changed, the traffic signal provided a solid green arrow, indicating left turn only for southbound traffic while providing a solid green light for all southbound traffic.

The northbound traffic signal maintained a solid red light for all of northbound traffic. As the passenger vehicle made the east bound turn onto 20th Street, a northbound motorcycle entered the intersection on a steady red light, striking the passenger vehicle.

The rider of the motorcycle was transported to a local hospital with life-threating injuries. The driver of the passenger vehicle did not report any injuries.

It was later learned that the rider of the motorcycle had succumbed to his injuries. The rider of the motorcycle was identified as 18-year-old Nikolas O. Jones of Garden City, Missouri.

Contributing circumstances to the crash are failing to stop for a steady redlight and speed.

This case remains open and active as the Joplin Police Department’s Major Crash Team continues to investigate.