Names Released in Lawrence County Double Fatality Crash

What:    Two vehicle double fatality crash
Where:  SD 34, mile marker 24, two miles west of Whitewood, SD
When:   1:55 p.m., Saturday, April 13, 2024

Driver 1: Joel James Walker, 24-year-old male from Sturgis, SD, fatal injuries
Vehicle 1: 2012 Dodge Avenger
Seat Belt Use: Under investigation

Driver 2: Paul Kevin Alexander, 55-year-old male from Miles City, MT, Serious non-life-threatening injuries
Vehicle 2: 2013 Chevrolet Silverado
Seat Belt Use: Yes
Passenger 1: Janice Lenora Alexander, 87-year-old female from Miles City, MT, fatal injuries
Seatbelt Use: Yes

Lawrence County, S.D.- Two people died Saturday afternoon, April 13, in a two-vehicle crash near Whitewood, SD.

Preliminary crash information indicates Joel J. Walker, 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, a passenger in the truck was also pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Chevrolet, Paul K. Alexander, suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries.

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.