The Joplin Police Department just before 2 a.m. today (Feb. 10, 2012) responded to the area of Interstate 44 westbound exit ramp 4, in reference to a vehicle/pedestrian crash.

When officers arrived, they discovered a pedestrian was struck by a 2001 Chevrolet pick-up, which was exiting off of I-44. The truck struck the pedestrian who was attempting to cross the road.

The pedestrian, has been identified as Seneca Mathews, 27, from Miami, Oklahoma. He appeared just to have crashed his car in a separate incident and was attempting to contact someone in reference to it, when he was struck by the Chevrolet pick-up. Mathews was pronounced dead on the scene.

The driver of the 2001 Chevrolet pick-up, Alan Pink, 22, from Joplin, pictured, was arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. We are still awaiting formal charges to be filed by the Newton County Prosecutors Office.

This crash is still under investigation by the Joplin Police Departments Traffic Unit. Anyone with further information about this accident should contact Cpl. Dan Haskins at (417) 627-8880.

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