STURGIS, S.D. – The Highway Patrol has taken over the investigation into a crash that critically injured two people Friday on Highway 34.
The patrol says the accident happened near the main entrance to Fort Meade and involved a 2012 Chevy Impala and 2001 Nissan Pathfinder.
The Impala was traveling westbound on Highway 34 towards Sturgis and had slowed for another vehicle in front of it turning into Fort Meade.
The Pathfinder, also traveling westbound, didn’t see the Impala slowing down and crashed into the back of it.
The patrol says the 17-year-old female driver of the Pathfinder sustained minor injuries. Two passengers, a 16-year-old female from Piedmont and a 20-year-old female from Whitewood, sustained life-threatening injuries. They were air lifted to Rapid City via life-flight. A third person, an 18-year-old female from Sturgis, suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries. The driver was wearing a seatbelt. The patrol says seatbelt use among the passengers is under investigation.
The 40-year-old female driver and one passenger, an 18-year-old female, in the Impala had no injuries. A second passenger, a 14-year-old male, suffered minor injuries. They were all from Sturgis and wearing seatbelts.
The patrol says names of those involved are not being released yet as the investigation into the crash continues.
***THIS IS AN UPDATE FROM OUR PREVIOUS STORY BELOW***
STURGIS, S.D. – Sturgis Police say four people were hurt, two critically, following a two vehicle accident on Highway 34 near the main entrance to Fort Meade Friday.
Sturgis Police Chief Geody Vandewater says both vehicles were westbound on Highway 34 when the first vehicle, a 2012 Chevy Impala slowed for another vehicle turning into Fort Meade.
A second vehicle, a 2001 Nissan Pathfinder, didn’t see the Impala slowing down, and crashed into the back of it.
Vandewater says four people in the Pathfinder were taken to the Sturgis Hospital by ambulance. Two of them were later transported to Monument Hospital in Rapid City via life-flight helicopter with critical injuries. He didn’t have the ages of those critically hurt, but says they were high school age.
Two occupants in the Impala were checked out by ambulance crews on scene, one reportedly with serious injuries.
Vandewater says due to the seriousness of the accident, the South Dakota Highway Patrol is taking over the investigation.
Responding Agencies were Fort Meade Police, Fire and Ambulance, Sturgis Fire and Ambulance, Meade County Sheriff’s Office and Sturgis Police Department.
We will update this story as we receive more information.
