Charles Mix County Fatal Crash

What:    Two vehicle fatal crash
Where:  SD Hwy 44, Mile marker 310, 2 miles east of Platte, SD
When:   3:50 p.m., Friday, February 2, 2024

Driver 1: Male, 34, Minor injuries
Vehicle 1: 1994 Peterbilt 379

Driver 2: Male, 97, Fatal injuries
Vehicle 2: 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche

Charles Mix County, S.D.- One person died Friday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash in Charles Mix County.

The names of the persons involved have not been released pending notification of family members.

Preliminary crash information indicates the 97-year-old driver of a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche was traveling eastbound on SD Hwy 44 about 2 miles east of Platte, SD. For unknown reasons the driver crossed the center line and collided with an oncoming 1994 Peterbilt tractor/trailer.

The semi entered the north ditch where it overturned onto its side and came to rest. The Chevrolet Avalanche came to rest in the middle of the highway facing a northerly direction. The driver of the Avalanche was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the Peterbilt was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. He was wearing a seatbelt. 

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.