Jefferson, SD — One person is dead and two others were injured after a two-vehicle crash south of Jefferson.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol says the names of those involved are not yet being released pending notification of family members.
They report that about 3:30 a.m., a 2008 Ford Econoline E350 Ambulance was southbound on Interstate 29 when the driver lost control. The vehicle crossed both lanes, went into the median, and then entered the northbound lanes, where it struck the back end of the semi-truck and trailer. The impact caused the semi-truck and trailer to roll onto its passenger side.
The 29-year-old female passenger in the ambulance was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The 22-year-old male ambulance driver, who was wearing a seat belt, suffered minor injuries and was taken to a Sioux City hospital. The 62-year-old male driver of the semi-truck also was wearing a seat belt and sustained minor injuries. He was not transported, according to the report.
Troopers say Interstate 29 in that area was closed to traffic for about eight hours, opening again at 11:20 a.m. Traffic was rerouted off of Exit Four through Jefferson and back onto the interstate at mile marker nine.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol reports that officers continue to investigate the crash.
