A South Dakota wreck involving a Georgia vehicle claimed the life of a Gainesville man Thursday near Custer.
The wreck happened at 7:12 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, on U.S. 16 near mile marker 19, seven miles west of Custer, and involved a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan, a compact sport utility vehicle, according to Tony Mangan of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
“The vehicle was going east on U.S. Highway 16,” Mangan said. “The vehicle left the roadway, entered the north ditch and then came in contact with the cement culvert.”
Mangan identified the driver as Christopher Ryan Stewart, 21, of Gainesville, adding Stewart died at the scene.
“He was wearing a seatbelt,” Mangan said.
Dakota Wood, 21, and Hannah Dalton, 18, both of Cleveland, suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries, Mangan said.
William Churchwell, 21, of Cleveland, suffered life-threatening injuries, Mangan said.
“We know that the driver was wearing a seatbelt, and the front-seat passenger was wearing a seatbelt, but we don’t know which one that was,” Mangan said. “Neither of the backseat passengers were wearing their seatbelts.”
Churchwell was sitting in the backseat at the time of the crash, Mangan said.
Mangan said the injured were taken to Rapid City Regional Hospital in Rapid City, S.D.
“That would be the largest hospital in the area,” Mangan said.
At the time of the wreck, the 77th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally was going on in the area. U.S. 16 also is known as Mount Rushmore Highway.
“Custer State Park is in that area,” Mangan said. “That whole area is a well-known tourist area. Mountains and narrow roads. It’s also a major tourist attraction as far as just driving that area coming to the rally.”
Mangan stressed the wreck investigation continues.
The Bridge Church in Cleveland is collecting financial assistance for the families of those involved in the wreck through its website, thebridgeonline.cc, or in person by cash or checks at the church’s main offices, 607 Hulsey Road, Cleveland, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. If donating, the donor can select to help a particular family or all the families.
Additionally, a GoFundMe account has been set up for Hannah Dalton.
