FLANDREAU, SD — A wrong-way driver on Interstate 29 in eastern South Dakota caused a three-vehicle crash Monday evening that killed four people, including three students from Flandreau Public Schools, authorities said Tuesday.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol said the crash happened around 8:35 p.m. near mile marker 119, about 10 miles north of Colman. A 2020 Ford Ranger traveling north in the southbound lanes hit a 2003 Dodge Caravan head-on as the minivan was passing a semi truck. The impact then involved the truck as well.
Investigators said the crash remains under review and the details are still preliminary.
Wrong way driver collided with minivan passing a semi truck
According to preliminary information from the Highway Patrol, the Ford Ranger was driven by an 88-year-old man from Hendricks, Minnesota. Officials said he was heading northbound in the southbound lanes before striking the Dodge Caravan head-on.
The Dodge Caravan was being driven by a 15-year-old girl from Flandreau and carried three underage passengers. The patrol said the minivan was passing a 2017 Peterbilt 389 semi truck when the collision happened.
The chain reaction caused the semi truck to strike the Caravan. Authorities said the crash scene involved all three vehicles and shut down the southbound lanes of I-29 for six hours.
Four died and one child was flown to a Sioux Falls hospital
The driver of the Dodge and two passengers, a 12-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl, both from Flandreau, died at the scene, according to the Highway Patrol and Moody County Sheriff’s Office. A fourth occupant, another 12-year-old girl from Flandreau, was taken to a Sioux Falls hospital with life-threatening injuries.
The 88-year-old driver of the Ford Ranger also died in the crash. Officials said the teen driver and all three passengers in the Caravan were not wearing seat belts, and the Ford driver was also not buckled up.
The semi truck driver, a 59-year-old man from Arlington, was not hurt. Authorities said he was wearing a seat belt.
Moody County agencies and local emergency crews responded
The Moody County Sheriff’s Office, Colman Fire Department, Flandreau Ambulance, Brookings EMS and the South Dakota Highway Patrol all responded to the crash. The sheriff’s office said the accident scene and the notifications to families made the response especially difficult for the community.
Officials have not released the names of those involved, saying they are waiting for family notifications. The investigation is continuing as authorities work to piece together the sequence of events and determine all contributing factors.
The sheriff’s office said its thoughts were with the families, friends, teachers, school staff, first responders and others affected by the tragedy.
Flandreau schools changed schedules after the tragedy
Flandreau Public Schools delayed classes to a 10 a.m. start Tuesday, giving counselors and ministerial association members time to speak with students, teachers and staff. The sheriff’s office said the delay was intended to allow families time to be notified and to give parents a chance to talk with their children.
The district also canceled its home volleyball game against Castlewood and said it would not reschedule it. The school community was left dealing with the immediate aftermath of the crash and the loss of multiple students.
Flandreau Indian School also offered condolences and said the loss affected the wider community, not just one campus.
Community leaders and schools expressed condolences
Flandreau Indian School said that even though students attend different schools, the tragedy touched one community. The school urged people to show kindness, compassion and support as families and classmates grieved.
The Flandreau City Government thanked first responders and sent condolences to those affected. City officials said a loss of this scale is felt throughout a close-knit community and encouraged residents to lean on one another.
The sheriff’s office offered similar remarks, asking people to keep the families, friends, teachers, staff and emergency responders in their thoughts as the investigation continues.