Fatal hit-and-run case in Poplar Bluff remains in limbo

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. — A year ago Friday, a Poplar Bluff teenager was killed in a hit-and-run accident. Since then, neither of the drivers who allegedly struck her have stood trial for her death.

The case against one of the suspected drivers is ongoing, as a failure-to-appear warrant remains outstanding for his arrest.

A grand jury was called about 3 1/2 months ago to consider whether the second suspected driver should be charged in connection with Heavenly Grace Hafford’s death. But there is no indication it has met or when it will.

The 13-year-old died of blunt-force trauma due to being struck by two vehicles at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 9, 2015, as she crossed Kanell Boulevard near the Maud Street intersection in Poplar Bluff.

The junior-high student was walking home with a friend. She had been to a mall to buy shoes for a school choir recital before she was hit.

The first vehicle, which allegedly struck the teen, was found shortly after the crash, and its driver, Randal Craig Sparks, was arrested.

The 43-year-old Poplar Bluff man subsequently was charged with the felonies of leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with physical evidence.

Sparks later was ordered to stand trial on the charges, and his case was moved to Greene County on a change of venue.

Sparks was supposed to appear there for a pretrial conference in his case Aug. 18; however, he failed to show because he was in a Springfield, Missouri, hospital at the time, his lawyer said.

At that time, the judge issued a failure-to-appear warrant for Sparks’ arrest. Records indicate it was not served.

Based on witness reports and investigative leads, the second driver was identified as Ben Ressel, a former prominent, local businessman.

Investigators found what earlier was described as suspected “biological material” on the undercarriage of Ressel’s truck. Authorities said lab analysis of that forensic evidence was a match for Hafford’s DNA.

In early June, Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour announced he was not pursuing charges against Ressel based on his review of the investigative reports, including the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s and a lab report.

According to Butler County Coroner Jim Akers’ report, which Highway Patrol Sgt. Joe Weadon cited in his reconstruction report, Hafford was “killed as a result of the impact with (Sparks’ car).

“Therefore, when (Ressel’s truck) ran over her body after it came to rest following the impact with (Sparks’ car), she would not have been alive, and it is not considered an injury or fatality crash,” Akers said.

There are two elements that must be proven to convict someone on leaving the scene of an accident: The driver left without notifying authorities about the crash and property damage or injury/fatality occurred.

Based on the reports, he found no evidence the second vehicle caused any injury or fatality, Barbour said.

However, the pathologist who was consulted on Hafford’s death later said there was no way he could positively know whether she was alive when hit by the second vehicle.

In mid-July, Barbour asked Presiding Circuit Judge Michael Pritchett to appoint a special prosecutor to handle the investigation of Ressel for allegedly leaving the scene of an accident.

Pritchett appointed Ian Page, who was an assistant prosecuting attorney in Pemiscot County. Page now is an assistant prosecutor in Dunklin County.

After “reviewing everything pertaining to the case,” Page earlier said, he decided to seek a grand jury. On Aug. 25, Pritchett signed a memorandum calling for the empanelment of a grand jury.

Page said he did not have a timetable as to when a decision will be known. He did not respond to a phone call last week.

Pertinent address:

Kanell Boulevard and Maud Street, Poplar Bluff, Mo.