DNA from Bluff business man's truck matches teen killed in Poplar Bluff hit and run | Southeast Missourian

Headlines are quick hits from media outlets from Missouri and around the world. Follow the headline link for the full story. The source of this headline says:

The first vehicle, which allegedly struck the teen, was found shortly after the crash, and its driver, Randel Sparks, who allegedly was destroying evidence from his vehicle, was arrested.

The 42-year-old Poplar Bluff man subsequently was charged with felony leaving the scene of an accident and felony tampering with physical evidence. . . .

Based on a witness' report, authorities began searching for a late model Ford F-150 pickup, described as a 4X4 crew cab, with four doors and a short bed and "bright white headlights."

Investigative leads and witness statements reportedly led authorities to suspect Ben Ressel, 38, as the second driver.

Ressel was a banker and was also the chairman of the board of trustees for Three Rivers College. . . .

The lab report indicates one of the submitted swabs, "taken from the skid plate of Mr. Ressel's vehicle, was consistent with the sample provided for Heavenly Hafford," Stewart said. . .

Link: 

DNA from Bluff business man's truck matches teen killed in Poplar Bluff hit and run | Southeast Missourian

MoBikeFed comment: Heavenly Grace Hafford, 13, of Poplar Bluff was the pedestrian killed in this collision on December 9th, 2015. She had walked to Mansion Mall with a friend to buy shoes for a choir concert. She was struck by two motorists, both of whom fled the scene.

Just take a look at the intersection where Heavenly Grace was hit--it is like a poster child for terrible pedestrian intersections in Missouri:

https://goo.gl/maps/oWmgJLPRH5T2

More about the crash that killed Heavenly Grace Hafford, and her family's response:

http://www.kfvs12.com/story/30720770/teens-family-wants-answers-in-searc...

Heavenly Grace Hafford's obituary:

https://www.meaningfulfunerals.net/home/index.cfm?action=public%3Aobitua...

Our thanks to law enforcement who have taken this case seriously and pursued it diligently.