DNA taken off Poplar Bluff business man's truck matches teen killed in hit and run

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Lab analysis of forensic evidence found on the undercarriage of a truck owned by a local businessman is a DNA match for a Poplar Bluff teenager who was killed in a December hit-and-run accident.

Heavenly Grace Hafford, 13, died of blunt-force trauma after she was struck by two vehicles at 7:15 p.m. Dec. 9 as she was crossing Kanell Boulevard near the Maud Street intersection.

The junior high-school student was walking home with a friend. She had been to Mansion Mall to buy shoes for an upcoming school choir recital.

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. His case recently was moved to Greene County on a change of venue.

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.

As part of the investigation, Ressel's truck was impounded and a search warrant was executed on it.

The truck reportedly was processed by Missouri State Highway Patrol and Poplar Bluff police investigators.

Investigators obtained "several swabs of suspected biological material," according to police detective Josh Stewart.

"We got the lab report back, and it's a match," Stewart said.

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,

The lab report, along with the original highway patrol report, Stewart said, have been sent to the Butler County Prosecuting Attorney's Office.

Butler County Prosecutor Kevin Barbour said his office has received the report, but he had not yet read it.

Pertinent address:

Kanell Boulevard and Maud Street, Poplar Bluff, Mo.