|
|
Published December 18, 2003 12:00 am -
Cabby:'He just snapped'
The Joplin Globe
Taxi driver recovering after harrowing ride
By Jeff Lehr
Globe Staff Writer
On the job for just three months, Joplin cabdriver Gilbert McHone already has a few stories. But none beats what happened to him after he picked up a confused and obviously drunken fare at the Pub Bar on South Main Street.
McHone, 33, was attacked Tuesday night by a man who hijacked his taxi and then fatally smashed it into a tree. Fortunately for McHone, he and his fare had parted company by then.
"I was shaky last night," McHone said in an interview Wednesday. "But I feel a little better today. He was the worst (passenger) I ever had."
Joplin police and the Missouri State Highway Patrol were left to ponder the actions of McHone's passenger, Ricky Joe Dennington, 40, who was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident at 8:10 p.m. on North Main Street Road at Bland Avenue.
Police Cmdr. Jim Hounschell said investigators do not have a clue why Dennington did what he did.
Dennington, convicted July 1 of driving while intoxicated as a prior offender, had missed a probation-violation hearing Tuesday in the Associate Division of Jasper County Circuit Court. Officers speculated that he may have assumed a warrant had been issued for him.
Unable to get a coherent address out of him, McHone was driving Dennington to the Joplin Police Department on Third Street when he was attacked.
Hounschell said that if Dennington thought an arrest warrant had already been issued, and if he realized McHone was taking him to the Police Department, that might be an explanation.
"But, who knows?" Hounschell said.
Actually, the warrant had not been issued.
McHone said Dennington was quite intoxicated and "speaking gibberish" when he picked up him and another male passenger at the bar shortly after 7 p.m.
Dennington climbed in the front seat, and the other passenger got in the back, McHone said. The other man wanted to be taken to the Wal-Mart store on West Seventh Street and then back to the Pub Bar.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:
|
 |
|
TRUCK MECHANIC
needed for Waste Corporation of Joplin. Competitive pay and benefits package. Requires candidate to own hand tools...>MORE
REVETER WANTED
EXPERIENCED for brake manufacturing. Please apply in person at 3215 E. 20th, Joplin, MO. ...>MORE
UP IN FLAMES
WOOD FIRE PIZZA AND PASTA now hiring MANAGERS, SERVERS, BARTENDER Apply 1612 S. Madison, Webb City, behind Subway...>MORE
CNA AND CMT
CNA AND CMT Joplin Healthcare Center is looking for CMT for day 12 hour shift. Also a CNA for night 12 hours shift. Exc...>MORE
GROWING DENTAL PRACTICE
looking for experienced Dental Assistant. Computer knowledge a must. Resumes: 2710 Picher, Joplin, MO 64804. Deadline by...>MORE
ACCOUNTANT.
Expanding CPA firm: full time, degree/ computer skills required. Audit/tax experience preferred. Send resume to P...>MORE
LOCAL DRILLING COMPANY
needs a rock driller. Must have experience in hydraulics. Company vehicle provided. (417)662-7267...>MORE
OLIVE GARDEN
Now accepting applications Line Cooks, Dishwashers, and Lunch Servers
Interviewing 2-4 p.m. Monday through Fr...>MORE
NURSING PROGRAM COORDINATOR
for Crowder College in Cassville. Requires Master‚s in Nursing and two years of experience within the last five ye...>MORE
PCA 'S AND CNA'S
PCAs and CNAs In Joplin and surrounding areas. Call 417-206-7878....>MORE
See all ads |
|
2006 CHEVROLET HHR LT
automatic, 40,000 miles, loaded with options, $6200. (417)434-2949....>MORE
YAMAHA 1999 ROAD STAR
Yamaha, 1999 Road Star 1600 excellent condition, less than 10,000 miles, saddle bags and highway lamps. $3500. Cell phon...>MORE
MAZDA, 2000
B3000, 4x2, V6, automatic, high miles, $2150. (417)843-2613....>MORE
2005 HONDA SHADOW VLX 600
2,000 miles, color white, $3950. (417)673-3860....>MORE
1990 GMC HIGH SIERRA
short wide bed, 2 wheel drive, V-8, power windows/locks, air, CD, tinted windows, chrome wheels. $2,000 or best offer. (...>MORE
1957 CHEVROLET
2 door post, project, rust free Texas car, no motor or transmission, good Missouri title, $7500.
Bob 417-781-1932 ...>MORE
1979 CHEVROLET CORVETTE
350 automatic, $5000 or trade consider. (620)230-0459...>MORE
FORD 2000 1 TON
Ford, 2000 1 ton, 4X4, 6 speed, duals, flatbed, 7.3 diesel, $6800; 1998 Bucket truck, 55’ Altec. 417-358-8636, 483-9700....>MORE
FORD 2001 ESCORT
FORD, 2001 Escort, 4 cylinder, automatic, good condition. $1800. (417)437-5682....>MORE
LEHMAN TRIKE
LEHMAN TRIKE, 2007, excellent condition, rider has health problems. $20,500. Serious inquires only. (417)529-9554....>MORE
See all ads |
|
OPEN HOUSE
OPEN HOUSE 7/5/09 1:00-4:00 2281 sq. ft. Updated kitchen 4 br + bonus room 2 living areas Metal roof. Stapleton school ...>MORE
OWNER FINANCE
OWNER FINANCE. $650 down, $435 monthly. 201 N. Washington, Joplin, 3 BR, garage, Full price $32,500. 417-359-4113. ...>MORE
INVESTORS OR START-UP
INVESTORS OR START-UP 1217 Central. $67500 2 bedroom, 1 bath, very nice,room to build more. See more at homesbyowner.co...>MORE
2-3 BR
Basement, newly remodeled, oak cabinets, nice wood floors, privacy fence. $79,200. 2525 N. Ozark. (417)483-0900....>MORE
HANDYMAN SPECIAL
Handyman Special, only $500 down, owner financing, 11% interest, $345/ month, priced at $23,900. 1120 W. 12th Street (41...>MORE
LAKE FRONT MOBILE
Lake Front Mobile Grove, OK 1972 14 X 46 1 Bedroom, 1 bath lake front mobile home weekend getaway. Complete with furn...>MORE
See all ads |
|
INDEPENDENCE DAY BLOW OUT SALE
20% off all grocery items
20% off all cleaning supply items
20% off all refrigerators, dishwashers, deep...>MORE
24' BAJA OUTLAW
24’ BAJA Outlaw beautiful closed bow boat, 454 Mag, all options, excellent condition, low hours with 2005 trailer, $16,0...>MORE
LAB PUPPIES
lab puppies, AKC 1 chocolate male 1 chocolate female 1 black male 1 black female Master, senior, and junior hunters on ...>MORE
MALTIES PUPS
$150-$300; Yorkies, $300; Morkies-$200. 592-7827, leave message....>MORE
LAB MIX
black female, spayed, 3 years old, and 2 puppies, male/female, up to date vet care, $35 each. Refundable with proof of s...>MORE
LOST: 10 YEAR OLD YELLOW LAB
Goldie has on a flea collar, lost 6/28 between Oak Grove and Tipton Ford. PLEASE call 417-438-2828....>MORE
ANTIQUE RADIO
ANTIQUE Radio; hanging lamps; china cabinet; carnival glass; Singer featherweight machine; 2 ladies and men diamond ring...>MORE
2002 LOWE TAHITI
2002 Lowe Tahiti 22 Deck Boat with 2002 Johnson 150 hp motor, fully loaded and lake ready, $12,500. (620)856-5165 or (41...>MORE
ATTEMPTING TO LOCATE
realitives of late father, Aziel Murphy, who married Maxine Steele, of Oklahoma, on June 10, 1929. Contact Tresa Collins...>MORE
PATTERN TORCH
Industrial, $500. (417)781-1932....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|
Print this story
E-mail this story
Post to del.icio.us
Discuss this story
