SDHP releases details on deadly crashes

August 7, 2023

Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly motorcycle crash that happened on Friday about 23 miles northwest of Midland, South Dakota. The motorcycle was traveling west on SD Highway 34 when the 64-year-old male driver lost control and entered a ditch, becoming separated from the motorcycle. The driver was taken to the Pierre Hospital and was pronounced dead. His name has not been released.

In a separate crash, a Nebraska man has been identified as the person killed in a motorcycle crash in Tripp County last Thursday. Seventy year-old Gary Jones of Ainsworth, Nebraska failed to negotiate a curve 20 miles south of Colome, South Dakota. The motorcycle rolled multiple times. Jones was thrown off the bike and died from his injuries.

A Virginia man has been identified as the motorcyclist killed in a crash on Interstate 90 last week. Sixty eight year-old Robert Balsley of Chesterfield, Virginia was killed when the motorcycle he was driving left the interstate three miles west of Rapid City and entered the grass median. Balsley was taken to Monument Health in Rapid City where he was pronounced dead.

And a  two-vehicle crash near Dell Rapids has left one person dead. A semi was traveling south, about three miles north of Dell Rapids. A pickup was traveling north and crossed over the center line into the southbound lane, crashing into the semi. Both vehicles caught fire. The 47-year-old man driving the semi was able to exit the vehicle and had minor injuries. The driver of the pickup, whose name has not been released, died at the scene.