DES MOINES, Iowa — The driver of a car that was crashed into early Wednesday morning in downtown Des Moines is still recovering from his injuries.
Aaron Stonehocker, of Adel, was making a DoorDash delivery in his new Jeep before Iowa State Patrol said a stolen Hyundai, going the wrong direction down Grand Avenue, crashed into Stonehocker and his brother inside.
Stonehocker mentioned he couldn't remember much about the crash, but said the impact left his car totaled. The crash also left him injured with sore ribs and shoulders, and a black eye and swollen lip.
On Thursday, Iowa State Patrol identified the person who died in the crash as 16-year-old passenger Chad Nicholson of Des Moines. He was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash, officials said. Three others injured in the car were under the age of 18 and none of them were wearing seat belts.
"I do feel sorry for the kid that passed away," Stonehocker said. "I feel really sorry for that. But you know, it sucks, losing a kid. I'm just glad I'm alive. I could have been dead."
As Stonehocker continues to heal emotionally and physically, he wants people to take the crash as a reminder to drive safer and double check for other cars and people on the streets and sidewalks.
A state trooper had attempted to stop the stolen Hyundai on Interstate 235 around 1 a.m. Wednesday, the agency said. The driver did not stop, but instead exited the interstate and eventually turned east onto Grand Avenue.
Iowa State Patrol said the car zipped down Grand Avenue until troopers found it crashed into the Jeep moments later, and outside the Ruan Center which also was damaged from the crash.
When reached out to on Friday, Iowa State Patrol said it had no further updates on the other teenagers injured, or any potential arrests.