Names Released in Butte County Fatal Crash

What:    Two vehicle fatal crash
Where:  US 85 and SD Highway 168, 30 miles north of Belle Fourche, SD
When:   12:59 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Vehicle 1: 2017 Harley Davidson Trike
Driver 1: James Eugene Luchi, 73-year-old male from Watford City, ND, fatal injuries
Helmet Use: No

Vehicle 2: 2002 Chevrolet Venture
Driver2: Alex Lynn Rundell, 20-year-old male from Pine Bluffs, WY, serious, non-life-threatening injuries
Seatbelt Use: Under investigation

Butte County, S.D.- One man died and another was injured Tuesday afternoon in a two vehicle crash on US 85, 30 miles north of Belle Fourche, SD.

Preliminary crash information indicates James E. Luchi, the driver of a 2017 Harley Davidson trike, was northbound on US 85 near the intersection of SD Highway 168. Alex L. Rundell, the driver of a Chevrolet minivan, was southbound in the same location. The minivan turned left onto SD 168 in front of the trike and they collided. Luchi was thrown from the trike and pronounced deceased on scene. He was not wearing a helmet.

Rundell suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a nearby health center.

The South Dakota 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.

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Note: Records of state-reportable crashes are now available at http://www.safesd.gov/  Records should be available about 10 days after the investigation is complete.