Fatal crash graphic.
RAPID CITY, S.D.(KELO.com) — The Department of Public Safety announced a two-vehicle crash just west of Rapid City resulted in the death of a 78-year-old female driver.
Two others in the crash suffered serious non-life-threatening injuries, all three were taken to a Rapid City hospital.
—–Read the entire news release below
One woman died Tuesday after a two-vehicle crash west of Rapid City.
Names of the three people involved are not yet being released pending notification of family members.
Preliminary crash information indicates that a 2010 Buick LaCrosse was eastbound on U.S. Highway 16 when the vehicle veered to the right and struck a guardrail. The Buick then crossed both eastbound lanes, went through the median, and into the westbound lanes, where it collided head-on with a westbound 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport.
The 78-year-old female driver of the Buick suffered life-threatening injuries. She later died at a Rapid City hospital. She was not wearing a seatbelt.
Both occupants of the Hyundai had to be extricated from the vehicle. They suffered serious non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a Rapid City hospital. Both were wearing seatbelts.
U.S. Highway 16 was shut down for 48 minutes and then limited to one lane, opened for 12 additional minutes before the scene was completely reopened to traffic.
South Dakota’s Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary.
The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
