PENNINGTON COUNTY, S.D. — Two individuals from Illinois died Thursday in a three-vehicle crash near Hill City.
The accident occurred at 1:51 p.m. on U.S. Highway 385 at mile marker 89, approximately 8 miles northeast of Hill City. The highway was closed for about four hours.
A 69-year-old male from Emden, Illinois, was riding a 1953 Harley Davidson northbound alongside a 72-year-old male from Glendale, Arizona, on a 1956 Harley Davidson FLE 74CI. At the same time, a 67-year-old female driving a 2011 Toyota 4Runner was stopped in the northbound lanes, waiting to turn onto Wrinkle Valley Road.
A fourth vehicle passed the Toyota on the shoulder, causing the two motorcycle riders to attempt an emergency stop, which resulted in their brakes locking. The driver of the 1956 Harley Davidson laid his motorcycle down, while the 1953 Harley Davidson collided with the Toyota, igniting a fire that spread to the vehicle.
The driver of the 1953 Harley Davidson and his 69-year-old female passenger, both wearing helmets, sustained fatal injuries. The 72-year-old Harley Davidson rider was transported to a Rapid City hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. His use of a helmet remains under investigation.
Neither the Toyota driver nor her 62-year-old female passenger suffered injuries, as both were wearing seat belts.
The identities of the deceased have not been released pending family notifications. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the incident. All details released are preliminary.