WATAB TOWNSHIP -- Benton County authorities have released the cause of death for a man who was a passenger in a Highway 10 car crash near Little Rock Lake last month.

The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office has ruled the death of 59-year-old Thomas Theisen as drowning with the manner of his death classified as undetermined.

Theisen and Mary Stein of Kimball, were in an SUV when the vehicle hit a guard rail on Highway 10 near the Harris Channel. It happened at about 11:30 p.m. June 7th.

Stein was driving the vehicle and Theisen was a passenger. Authorities say following the crash, he fled the scene on foot.

The State Patrol Helicopter, and Benton County K-9 unit searched the area and found Theisen's body in the water the next day.

Witnesses say it appeared Theisen had been drinking, but sheriff's officials say there was no indication of that.

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