UNDATED – The South Dakota Highway Patrol has released names in two fatal crashes that occurred earlier this month.
A 42-year-old man died Friday, April 12, in a single-vehicle crash in Black Hawk, SD.
Preliminary crash information indicates Nathan T. Wheeler of Piedmont was northbound on Erickson Ranch Road when the vehicle left the roadway to the right entering the ditch. The vehicle rolled, ejecting Wheeler, who was not wearing a seatbelt. He suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The patrol has also identified two people who died in a head on collision April 13th near Whitewood.
Preliminary crash information indicates Joel J. Walker of Sturgis was the driver of a 2012 Dodge Avenger was traveling eastbound on SD Highway 34 and crossed the centerline into the path of a westbound 2013 Chevrolet Silverado. The vehicles collided in the westbound lane near mile marker 24. Walker was ejected as the vehicle came to rest in the eastbound lane and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The Chevrolet continued into the ditch. Janice L. Alexander of Miles City, Montana, a passenger in the truck was also pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet, Paul K. Alexander of Miles City, Montana suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating both crashes.
