UPDATE: Capt William Davis of the Joplin Police Department tells us that this a single vehicle fatality crash investigation. They believe the crash occurred sometime in the overnight hours, however it was not called in until around 7:16 AM.

“The southbound vehicle on Murphy Blvd struck a utility pole and then was overturned in Joplin Creek. The driver of the vehicle in this crash has been identified as Alvaro Rivas, age 28, of Carthage, Missouri. Next of kin has been notified. The crash still remains under investigation and any further details will be released when they become available..

JOPLIN, Mo. — Just before 7:30 AM Tuesday morning Joplin Emergency Communications began receiving alerts regarding a vehicle in Joplin Creek just north of the 2nd Street Viaduct.

Joplin Fire Department and Joplin Police responded. Upon arrival reported that a Liberty Utilities pole was badly damaged and a passenger vehicle upside down partially submerged in the water.

Joplin Fire Department then dispatched Station 2, which houses the Water Rescue Team.

CLICK TO ENLARGE, THEN USE FINGERS TO ZOOM. ALL IMAGES JOPLIN NEWS FIRST / COPYRIGHT NEXSTAR INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. IMAGES MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN, OR REDISTRIBUTED WITHOUT PERMISSION.

JPD Major Crash Team are gathering at the site. We anticipate the team to launch the JPD drone to assist in mapping out what occurred in this crash.

TRAFFIC IS BLOCKED

  • SOUTH at 4th and Murphy Blvd
  • NORTH at East Pool Street and Murphy Blvd

More information from authorities as it becomes available. Shannon Becker is at the scene now.