Names Released in Fatal Rapid City Pursuit Crash; Charges Pending for Jeep Driver

Northeast Radio SD News - Rapid City, SD - A February 5 police pursuit in Rapid City has turned fatal after one of the five individuals injured in a two-vehicle crash succumbed to her injuries. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS) released the names of the victims involved on Monday.

The crash occurred at approximately 7:15 a.m. MT on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at the intersection of North Cherry Avenue and East North Street in Rapid City.

According to preliminary information, the incident began with an attempted routine traffic stop on a 2012 Jeep Liberty traveling without license plates. The driver, identified as Torry Ray Ghost Bear, 30, of Rapid City, failed to pull over, initiating a pursuit.

During the chase, Ghost Bear failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of North Cherry Avenue and East North Street. The Jeep was then struck by a 2022 Ford F-350 driven by Jorge Armando Mata Diaz, 31, of Rapid City, who was traveling eastbound on East North Street.

Casualties and Injuries

All five occupants of the Jeep sustained injuries and were transferred to a local hospital:

·        Mia Lane Carpio, 22, of Rapid City, sustained fatal injuries and died a week later on Thursday, February 12.

·        Torry Ray Ghost Bear, 30 (Driver), sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

·        Feather Leann Cottier, 35, of Rapid City, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

·        Kameron RedNest, 20, of Box Elder, sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

·        Misty Kay RedNest, 43, of Pine Ridge, sustained minor injuries.

Jorge Armando Mata Diaz, the driver of the Ford F-350, also sustained minor injuries and was transported to the hospital.

Safety Details and Charges

South Dakota Highway Patrol officials reported that Ghost Bear, Misty Kay RedNest, and Kameron RedNest were not wearing seat belts at the time of the collision. Mia Lane Carpio was wearing a seat belt. Safety belt usage for Feather Leann Cottier remains under investigation.

Charges are currently pending for two occupants of the Jeep, including the driver.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol continues to lead the investigation into the crash.