FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saturday, May 24, 2014

CONTACT: Capt. Rob Weinmeister, Lt. Caleb Walters or Lt. Doug Coughlin

                    S.D. Highway Patrol 605-626-2286

             Walworth County Fatal Crash

What: Two-vehicle fatal crash

Where: US Highway 12, nine miles west of Bowdle, SD

When: Friday, May 23, 2014, 6:30 p.m.

Driver 1: Kasper C. Unser, 65. Ipswich, SD, serious, non-life threatening injuries

Vehicle 1: 1995 Ford F150 pickup

Driver 2: Michael Alan Muonio, 24, Battle Ground, WA, fatal

Passenger 1: Ryann Lynn Muonio, 21, Battle Ground, WA serious non-life threatening injuries

Passenger 2: Lorissa Marie Bellikka, 19, Aberdeen, SD, fatal

Passenger 3: Rula Lo Muonio, 6 months, Battle Ground, WA, fatal

Vehicle 2: 2007 Honda Civic EX

BOWDLE, S.D. – Three people died in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 12 about nine miles west of Bowdle on Friday, May 23.

Michael Alan Muonio, 24, of Battle Ground, Wash., was driving a 2007 Honda Civic eastbound on Highway 12. The vehicle crossed into the westbound lane and struck a 1995 Ford F150 pickup driven by Kasper C. Unser, 65, of Ipswich, S.D. Muonio died at the scene. Unser received serious injuries and was taken to a Bowdle hospital. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

Two passengers in the Muonio vehicle, 19-year-old Lorissa Marie Bellikka of Aberdeen, S.D., and a six-month-old infant, also died in the crash. A third passenger, 21-year-old Ryann Lynn Muonio of Battle Ground, Wash., received serious injuries. The infant is the daughter of Michael and Ryann Muonio.

No further information is immediately available.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating. Walworth County Sheriff’s Office, Edmunds County Sheriff's Office, South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks, Bowdle Fire and Ambulance, Selby Fire and Ambulance, Selby Police Department and Avera St. Lukes Care Flight assisted.

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