2 seriously injured in crash near downtown Joplin

May 16—A Joplin couple suffered serious injuries when the Porsche they were in struck a utility pole and a building and was torn in two at 10:50 p.m. Wednesday at 12th Street and Wall Avenue in Joplin.

Joplin police said the driver, Jeffrey Heck, 62, and his passenger, Barbara Heck, 49, were taken to Mercy Hospital Joplin, where they were reported to be in serious condition.

Police said the crash remained under investigation Thursday.