Three Injured in Brookings County Crash Near Deer Creek West of Brookings

Northeast Radio SD News – Brookings County, SD - Three people were injured Tuesday afternoon after a two‑vehicle crash at the intersection of 468th Avenue and 212th Street, just west of Brookings, according to the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies and first responders were dispatched at 3:11 p.m. to the scene, where a 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer driven by Jeffrey Steinmetz, 43, of Brookings, collided with an eastbound 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Melvin Mortinsen, 65, of Volga.

Steinmetz told authorities he slowed and yielded before entering the intersection but had limited visibility due to tall corn on the eastbound side. As he pulled forward, he saw the Jeep approaching and braked, but the vehicles collided. The Trailblazer came to rest on its side in Deer Creek, and Steinmetz was able to climb out and call 911.

The Jeep rolled multiple times after impact, coming to rest in Deer Creek southeast of the intersection. Mortinsen was ejected from the vehicle and transported to Brookings Hospital with unknown injuries before later being transferred to a Sioux Falls hospital. A passenger, Gladys Gillette, 64, of Volga, was extricated from the Jeep and also taken to Brookings Hospital with unknown injuries.

Steinmetz was evaluated at the scene and later went to Brookings Hospital by private vehicle. His injuries were not immediately known. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage, and no estimates were available.

Agencies responding included the Brookings Fire Department, Brookings County Sheriff’s Office, Brookings Ambulance, and Brookings County Emergency Management. The crash remains under investigation.