UPDATE: Police Identify Victim in Fatal Car Accident on I-35 Near Ankeny

Ankeny police have identified the victim of a single-vehicle crash that occurred Tuesday on Interstate 35 north of the Ankeny First Street exit.

Junior Lowe Jr., 51, of Des Moines, was killed when the red Ford pickup truck he was traveling in struck a bridge rail, entered the ditch and struck a tree, said a press release issued by the police department.

Lowe was traveling northbound on I-35 near mile marker 93 at approximately 2:50 p.m. when the accident occurred. Witnesses told police Lowe’s vehicle was traveling faster than other vehicles in the area when it crossed from the left lane to the right and struck the bridge guardrail, vaulting at least 30 feet into the east ditch.

Lowe died at the scene. He was wearing a seatbelt, police said.

Police later learned around the same time of the accident, Des Moines police were taking a missing person report from Lowe's family because they were concerned about him, the release said.

Police are now awaiting the results of the autopsy and toxicology reports to determine if alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash.