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NewsDecember 11, 2015

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Authorities continue to search for a black Ford pickup truck believed to be the second vehicle involved in an alleged hit-and-run accident Wednesday night that killed a Poplar Bluff teenager. Heavenly Grace Hafford, 13, died of blunt-force trauma after being struck by a vehicle, according to Butler County Coroner Jim Akers. ...

Southeast Missourian

Police seek truck in hit-and-run accident

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- Authorities continue to search for a black Ford pickup truck believed to be the second vehicle involved in an alleged hit-and-run accident Wednesday night that killed a Poplar Bluff teenager. Heavenly Grace Hafford, 13, died of blunt-force trauma after being struck by a vehicle, according to Butler County Coroner Jim Akers. The crash occurred about 7:15 p.m. at the intersection of Kanell Boulevard and Maud Street. Hafford was walking home from a Dollar General Store when she was struck, according to deputy chief Jeff Rolland. A witness told police two vehicles struck the victim, one after the other. Authorities said the initial vehicle was a light-blue Volkswagen Beetle. The alleged driver, identified as 42-year-old Randal Craig Sparks of Poplar Bluff, is accused of attempting to dispose of evidence related to the accident. Sparks was arrested and subsequently charged with leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with physical evidence, both felonies. The driver of the truck that was following closely behind Sparks' car and also allegedly ran over Hafford still is being sought. The truck is described a 4X4 crew cab with four doors and a short bed.

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Car drives into store building, injures child

PORTAGEVILLE, Mo. -- A child was injured after a car drove into a building late Wednesday in Portageville. The car drove into the front of the Casey's General Store just after 6:30 p.m., according to the Portageville Police Department. Officials said a young girl was hit and taken to an area hospital for treatment of serious but not life-threatening injuries.

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