A Kenai Grand Jury on Wednesday charged a Homer man in the death of passenger killed last year from a truck crash. Tyler Cordes, 20, faces charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, first-degree assault, third-degree assault, driving under the influence, reckless driving and reckless endangerment.
According to a press release, Cordes was the driver of a GMC pickup truck that lost control on the Sterling Highway near Crittenden drive on Dec. 21, 2021. Homer Police said the truck left the road and hit a power pole. The collision threw Drew Brown, 25, out of the truck, killing him. Police said roads were slippery that night. Three other people also were in the truck: two men then 19 and a woman then 19. None of them suffered life-threatening injuries. Police did not identify the driver until this week.
Cordes has not yet been arraigned on charges. Police said Cordes left Homer shortly after the crash. On Sept. 14, the court issued a warrant for Cordes’ arrest. He is believed to be living in the Las Vegas, Nevada area.
Police ask anyone with information on Cordes’ whereabouts to contact them at 907-235-3150.
“Mr. Cordes, when you see this, (it’s) time to make a tough phone call to us,” the press release said.
Brown was the son of Kristen Fenske and Jim Brown, and graduated in 2015 from Homer High School. His family described him as a gifted athlete, and said he excelled at hockey, basketball and soccer, and also played football,volleyball and disc golf
“Drew was the quintessential teammate, and his spirit and tenacity inspired all those who battled alongside him,” his family wrote in his obituary.
This is a developing story.
Reach Michael Armstrong at marmstrong@homernews.com.
