In an update to our previous reports, the Iowa State Patrol has identified the victims of a crash that happened Saturday night on Des Moines’ northeast side. Authorities say a passenger in a 2016 Ford Focus, 24-year old Joshua Lamont Cox, of Prairie City, died from injuries he suffered, when the car was struck from behind by a 2018 GMC pickup – driven by 27-year old Travis Gonzales, of Bondurant – that was traveling at a high rate of speed. The driver of the car, 22-year old Austin Paul Gainuss, of Des Moines, was injured and flown by helicopter to Methodist Hospital, in Des Moines. Both men were wearing their seat belts.

The crash happened on Interstate 80, at little after 10-p.m., Saturday, just before the east mixmaster (the I-80/I-235/I-35 interchange). After the impact, both vehicles entered the north ditch, where the car struck a tree.

The accident remains under investigation, with charges pending.