FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, Jan. 12, 2012

CONTACT: Capt. Kevin Joffer, Lt. Alan Welsh or Lt. Paul Gerken, SD Highway Patrol, (605) 367-5700

             Names Released in Brule County Fatal Crash

What: Two-vehicle fatal crash

When: Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2012, 10:19 a.m.

Where: Interstate 90, mile marker 283, 1.5 miles west of Kimball, SD

Driver 1: Gary L. Rathke, 60, Rapid City, SD, serious non-life threatening injuries

Vehicle 1: 2003 Ford Explorer

Driver 2: Gregory D. King, 57, Chamberlain, SD, fatal

Passenger 1: Patty-Ann King, 56, Chamberlain, SD, serious non-life threatening injuries

Passenger 2: Kristen Nicole King, 21, Chamberlain, SD, serious non-life threatening injuries

Vehicle 2: 2002 Ford Explorer

KIMBALL, S.D. – A Chamberlain, S.D., man died and three other people were injured in a two-vehicle crash Wednesday, Jan. 11, on Interstate 90 about 1.5 miles west of Kimball.

Gregory D. King, 57, of Chamberlain, was the driver of an eastbound 2002 Ford Explorer that lost control, crossed the median and entered the westbound lanes of I-90. The vehicle and a westbound 2003 Ford Explorer collided. King died at the scene. His passengers – Patty-Ann King, 56, and Kristen Nicole King, 21, both of Chamberlain – suffered serious, non-life threatening injuries. They were taken to a Chamberlain hospital.

Gary L. Rathke, 60, of Rapid City, S.D., the driver of the westbound vehicle, was also taken to a Chamberlain hospital with serious non-life threatening injuries.

All occupants were wearing seatbelts.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating. Kimball Police Department, Brule County Sheriff’s Office, Kimball Fire Department and South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks assisted.

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