Bolivar man arrested after Springfield pedestrian killed by hit-and-run driver

(From the Springfield Police Department)

Springfield Police responded to the area of Kansas Expressway and Division at 5:33 a.m., on April 26, 2022, regarding a motor vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.

The initial investigation indicated that a pedestrian was crossing Kansas Expressway, south of Division and had stopped on the raised median to allow northbound traffic to clear. 

While the pedestrian waited for traffic, a silver SUV was traveling northbound on Kansas Expressway. The silver SUV drove onto the median and struck the pedestrian. After hitting the pedestrian, the vehicle left the scene and was last seen westbound on Division from Kansas Expressway. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.

The pedestrian was identified as Jerry Westmoreland, a 59-year-old male from Springfield, Missouri. Westmoreland's family has been notified.

During the investigation, officers identified a suspect who resides in Bolivar, Missouri. With the cooperation of the Bolivar Police Department, John E. Hofstetter, a 43-year-old male, was arrested.

Officers with the department's Traffic Section continue to investigate the crash. The case will be presented to the Greene County Prosecutor’s Office to make a determination on filing of criminal charges. Investigators ask anyone with additional information to contact the Springfield Police Department at 417-864-1810.

This was the fourth fatality motor vehicle crash in Springfield in 2022.