Five Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash East of Scenic

Police respond to a fatal crash scene, highlighted by emergency lights and a visible police line, as reported by Northeast Radio SD.

Northeast Radio SD News – Pennington County, SD - Five people sustained fatal injuries in a single-vehicle crash that occurred late Wednesday evening, October 1, approximately three miles east of Scenic on South Dakota Highway 44.

The South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) released the names of the victims on Saturday, October 11. The driver of the 2004 Honda Pilot, 24-year-old Chad Lee Doyle, Jr., of Wanblee, S.D., died at the scene. Four passengers were also killed: Byron Joey Bear Killer, 23, of Allen, S.D.; Twila Whitney Hard Heart, 21, of Rapid City, S.D.; Danielle Lee Long Soldier, 33, of Wanblee, S.D.; and a 10-year-old female whose name was not released.

Preliminary information from the South Dakota Highway Patrol indicates the vehicle was traveling eastbound on SD Highway 44 near mile marker 90 shortly before midnight. The driver reportedly failed to negotiate a curve, causing the vehicle to enter the north ditch and strike an embankment. Following the impact, the Honda Pilot became engulfed in flames.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol, an agency of the DPS, is currently investigating the incident. Officials noted that all information released is preliminary.