Neelyville man pleads guilty to fatal hit-and-run

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A Neelyville, Mo., man faces up to four years in prison after pleading guilty Tuesday in connection with a hit-and-run accident that left a local teenager dead.

Cletis W. Powell Jr., 35, pleaded guilty to the felony of tampering with physical evidence, according to Butler County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Barbour.

Powell was originally charged with the felonies of tampering with physical evidence and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident and was allowed to plead to one of them, Barbour said.

Barbour said Powell doesn't have any criminal history and is a veteran.

Powell is scheduled to be sentenced March 27.

Powell was accused of hiding his truck and disassembling the damaged parts after an Aug. 14 crash on Highway 142 at Half Moon Lane that killed Alexander C. Metzing, 18.

Pertinent address:

Poplar Bluff, Mo.