Updated October 22, 2009

In March, Calvin Yarbrough was charged with involuntary manslaughter and three counts of assault.

Newton County, Missouri police say he ran a red light at the intersection of Highway 43 and Dakota Road.

They say he hit an SUV, killing Gerri Drake, 48, of Wyandotte, Oklahoma.

The jury convicted Yarbrough on Thursday.  He will be sentenced next month.

 

Updated March 26, 2009

NEWTON COUNTY, MO. - Authorities charge a Joplin man for a traffic crash that killed a woman Wednesday night.

Calvin Yarbrough is charged with involuntary manslaughter and three counts of assault.

Investigators believe Yarbrough was drunk and ran a red light at around 6 p.m. at the intersection of Missouri Highway 43 and Dakota Road in Newton County.

Officials say he hit an SUV carrying Gerri Drake, 48, of Wyandotte, Oklahoma.

Drake was later pronounced dead at a Joplin hospital.

Sgt. Darren Gallup says in a release from the Joplin Police Department, "it is unfortunate that tragedies like this occur on our roadways.  We would like to remind everyone to wear their seatbelts, and never drink and drive."

Yarbrough was driving while suspended.