GROTON, S.D. (Press Release) – Two men died Tuesday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash west of Groton.

Names of the three people involved are not yet being released pending notification of family members.

A 2018 Mack Granite dump truck was westbound in the left lane of U.S. Highway 12. The truck driver had activated the left turn signal and was making a left-hand turn into the median when a westbound 2018 Ford F150 pickup rear-ended the truck.

Both the driver and passenger of the pickup, each 54 years old, were pronounced dead at the scene. The 60-year-old male truck driver was not injured. All three people were wearing seat belts.

The westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 12 were closed for about 90 minutes.

South Dakota’s Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash. All information is only preliminary at this point.

The Highway Patrol is part of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.