What:    Two-vehicle fatal crash
Where:  SD Highway 44 at mile marker 373.8, 8 miles northwest of Freeman, South Dakota
When:   11:32 a.m., Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Driver 1: 77-year-old female from Bridgewater, South Dakota, fatal injuries
Vehicle 1: 2014 Chevrolet Equinox

Seat Belt Used: Yes

Driver 2: 29-year-old male from Armour, South Dakota, no injuries
Vehicle 1: 1996 Kenworth TT

Seat Belt Used: Yes

Hutchinson County, S.D.- A Bridgewater, South Dakota woman died in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday near Freeman, South Dakota.

Names of the those involved have not been released pending notification of family members.

Preliminary crash information indicates the driver of a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox was traveling northbound on 435th Avenue, when she approached the stop sign that intersects SD Highway 44. At the same time the driver of 1996 Kenworth TT was traveling westbound on SD Highway 44 near 435th Avenue. The driver of the Equinox entered the intersection and was struck by the Kenworth TT.

The driver of the Equinox sustained fatal injuries. SD Highway 44 was closed for several hours following the crash.

The investigation is ongoing. All information released is 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.