Joplin man killed during law enforcement pursuit on I-44

A Joplin man was killed in a one-vehicle accident 1:58 p.m. Sunday on I-44 at the 7.0 mile marker.

According to the Highway Patrol report, a 2000 Lexus RX300 driven by Adam D. Whittington, 23, Joplin, was being pursued by law enforcement and when the driver attempted to avoid spike strips, the vehicle traveled off the roadway, struck an embankment and overturned.







Newton County Coroner Dale Owens pronounced Whittington dead at the scene.

The fatality was the 35th this year for Highway Patrol Troop D.