The passenger in a Jeep that crashed on Big John's Store Road last month succumbed to injuries he sustained, the state Highway Patrol trooper investigating the matter confirmed today.

Trooper D.L. Edwards said he was notified of the death of 46-year-old Jeffrey Robert Koch of Emporia last week.

According to his investigation, Edwards determined that Koch was a passenger in a Jeep driven by 19-year-old Cody Pearson, who died at the scene. A hunter discovered the Jeep in a field around 4:30 a.m. on September 13.

Edwards said while he is still waiting on a toxicology report, his initial assessment is that speed, careless and reckless driving and possible alcohol use played a factor in the single-vehicle crash.