Northeast News
January 20, 2012

A second passenger has now died as a result of the traffic accident at 18th and Prospect Avenue that occurred in the early morning hours of Jan. 19.

An Olathe, Kan., man, 24-year-old Casey Allen Cordell, caused the crash and was driving a Honda Accord that was reported stolen in Overland Park, Kan. Cordell’s Honda struck a white Ford truck that contained two passengers and one driver. One passenger, Christopher L. Ford, was pronounced dead at an area hospital on Jan. 19. The second passenger was transported to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries and the driver was transported to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

Today, the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office announced that the second passenger has died. The name of the passenger has not been released. The death of the second passenger has now prompted a review of the case to see if other charges are warranted, Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office Public Information Officer Mike Mansur said via email.

Currently, Cordell is charged with first degree manslaughter and second degree assault. Prosecutors have requested a bond of $250,000/10 percent.