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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 21, 2010
CONTACT: Lt. Alan Welsh, SD Highway Patrol, (605) 367-5700
Tripp County Fatal Crash
Driver 1: Kimberly A. Bertram, 49, Colome, SD, minor injuries
Vehicle 1: 2003 Dodge Intrepid
Passenger 1: Kenzi Lynn Ellsworth, 12, Winner SD, fatal
Passenger 2: Diandra Rae Riedl, 13, Winner SD, minor injuries
Driver 2: Lucile A. Linse, 92, Springview, Neb., fatal
Vehicle 2: 2004 Pontiac SE2
WINNER, S.D. – Two people died in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 18 east of Winner on Tuesday afternoon.
Lucile A. Linse, 92, of Springview, Neb., and Kenzi Lynn Ellsworth, 12, of Winner, died in the crash about two miles east of Winner. Linse was alone in a 2004 Pontiac SE2. Ellsworth was a passenger in a 2003 Dodge Intrepid driven by Kimberly A. Bertram, 49, of Colome. Bertram suffered minor injuries, as did another passenger in her vehicle, Diandra Rae Riedl, 13, of Winner.
Bertram was driving west on Highway 18. Linse was driving east but was in the westbound lane. Moderate rain was falling at the time of the crash. The vehicles collided nearly head-on. Both drivers and both passengers were wearing seat belts. Neither speed nor alcohol appears to be a factor.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating. Tripp County Sheriff’s Office, Winner Police Department and Tripp County Fire Department assisted.
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