Passenger in fatal wreck near airport identified

CEDAR RAPIDS – Authorities have identified a passenger who was in the car involved in a fatality accident early Thursday morning.

Drake D. Whitters, 19, of Swisher, was killed when the car he was driving around 3:15 a.m. went off Walford Road, just west of 34th Street SW. An initial news release did not mention any passengers, but on Friday, the Linn County sheriff's office said Jason M. Velvick, 16, of Swisher, was also in the car.

Velvick was treated by a doctor for injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening, authorities said Friday. It is believed that Velvick went to find help after the crash.

Sheriff Brian Gardner said the accident investigators put in 16- or 18-hour days Thursday, and were not able to speak with Velvick until Friday. He said his office released only the information they were able to confirm Thursday.

Investigators determined the westbound car went into the south ditch and rolled before stopping on its top. Whitters was pronounced dead at the scene.

Gardner said an autopsy was completed Thursday, but results that include toxicology tests will not be known for several weeks.

An investigation into what caused the crash is continuing, Gardner said.

Read the initial story here.

Editor's Note: Commenting on this story has been disabled.