COLMAN, S.D. – Four people lost their lives Monday in a three-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver on Interstate 29 near Colman.
According to the South Dakota Highway Patrol, an 88-year-old man driving a Ford Ranger was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes near mile marker 119 when his vehicle collided head-on with a Dodge Grand Caravan. The driver of the Dodge had been attempting to pass a semi-truck and was unable to avoid the oncoming pickup.
The Dodge was then struck by the semi, causing the truck to jackknife. All four occupants of the Dodge were ejected from the vehicle.
The 15-year-old driver of the Dodge and two passengers, ages 12 and 16, were killed in the crash. A fourth passenger, a 12-year-old, was transported to a Sioux Falls hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the Ford was also ejected and died from his injuries. The driver of the semi was not injured.
Southbound lanes of Interstate 29 were closed for approximately six hours while emergency crews responded and investigated the scene.
Authorities have not released the names of those involved pending notification of family members. The crash remains under investigation.
