Four Dead, One Critically Injured in Wrong-Way I-29 Crash Near Colman, South Dakota

Northeast Radio SD News – Colman, SD - Four people died, and a fifth person sustained life-threatening injuries Monday night, Oct. 26, 2026, following a three-vehicle crash involving a wrong-way driver on Interstate 29 in Moody County.

According to preliminary crash information released Tuesday, Oct. 27, by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, the collision occurred at 8:35 p.m. on Interstate 29 near mile marker 119, 10 miles north of Colman.

Authorities stated that an 88-year-old male from Hendricks, Minnesota, was driving a 2020 Ford Ranger northbound inside the southbound lanes of Interstate 29. At the same time, a 15-year-old female from Flandreau was driving a 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan southbound and began passing a southbound 2017 Peterbilt 389 semi-truck.

The Dodge Grand Caravan driver could not avoid the oncoming Ford Ranger traveling in the wrong direction, and the two vehicles collided head-on. After the initial impact, the Peterbilt semi-truck struck the Dodge, causing the semi to jackknife.

Fatalities and Injuries

All four occupants of the Dodge Grand Caravan, as well as the driver of the Ford Ranger, were not wearing seat belts and were ejected from their vehicles during the crash:

·         2003 Dodge Grand Caravan: The 15-year-old female driver, a 12-year-old female passenger, and a 16-year-old female passenger—all from Flandreau—sustained fatal injuries. A third passenger, a 12-year-old female from Flandreau, suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to a Sioux Falls hospital.

·         2020 Ford Ranger: The 88-year-old male driver from Hendricks, Minnesota, sustained fatal injuries.

·         2017 Peterbilt 389 Semi-Truck: The 59-year-old male driver from Arlington was wearing a seat belt and was not injured.

Names of the individuals involved have not been released pending notification of family members.

Interstate Closure and Investigation

The southbound lanes of Interstate 29 were closed for approximately six hours following the collision.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash, and all information released by the Department of Public Safety remains preliminary.