One killed, one hurt in Poplar Bluff hit-and-run crashes

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Poplar Bluff police are investigating two hit-and-run accidents that resulted Monday in the death of one man and serious injuries for a another.

Officers ask witnesses to come forward with information related to an accident that occurred shortly after 11:30 a.m. in the 800 block of West Pine Street and killed a 26-year-old pedestrian.

A Poplar Bluff man has been identified as the suspect in a second accident that pinned a Texas man between two vehicles just before 7 p.m. at Murphy USA gas station.

In the earlier accident, Jason Thomas Eppinette of the 500 block of North Sixth Street was attempting to cross the eastbound lanes of West Pine Street near Maverick Glass when he was struck by a maroon or dark red vehicle, deputy police chief Jeff Rolland said. The vehicle is described as similar to a Grand Am or new Impala.

Eppinette was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, but died about 2 p.m. from injuries that included a broken shoulder and skull fractures. An autopsy was scheduled, and authorities anticipate collecting evidence from the victim that could help identify a suspect. Police also are collecting evidence from the scene, Rolland said.

The vehicle that struck Eppinette appears to have been traveling with the flow of traffic within the speed limit, Rolland said. It has been identified as the lead vehicle in a series of cars crossing Ninth Street after the light changed.

There was no traffic in the westbound lanes, and it is believed Eppinette stepped into the path of the passenger vehicle, officials have said.

"It's not uncommon for people who have struck a pedestrian to flee the scene," Rolland said. "We need to speak to the driver to get the entire picture of the accident scene. The best thing for this individual to do is come in and talk to us about the accident."

Rolland also asked anyone with any information about it to come forward.

"You may not think it's important, but you never know until you speak with us how important the information could be," he said.

Reymundo Cantu, 40, of Pharr, Texas, was injured in a second accident at Murphy USA. According to police, Cantu was standing at the bed of his Ford F350 pickup, filling a gas canister with diesel, when an older model white passenger vehicle backed to the pump.

The vehicle backed into Cantu, pinning him against his truck, Rolland said.

The driver of the white car was a male who asked Cantu not to call the police, then fled the scene, the victim told officers. Cantu was found at the scene, bleeding from both legs, and taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center with serious injuries, Rolland said.

Video surveillance was used to identify the vehicle and driver alleged to have struck Cantu. Charges of leaving the scene of an accident will be sought, Rolland said. The driver had not been arrested at press time.

Pertinent address:

800 block of West Pine Street, Poplar Bluff, Mo.

303 S. Westwood Blvd., Poplar Bluff, Mo.