California man identified in fatal crash south of Mound City

MOUND CITY, S.D. (Press Release) – A Bloomington, Calif. man has been identified as the person who died last Wednesday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash that occurred south of Mound City.

A 2004 Peterbilt semi-truck/trailer with a 30-foot-wide load was northbound on U.S. Highway 83. A southbound 2014 International semi-truck/trailer struck the left front corner of the northbound Peterbilt’s wide load.

Rafael Lopez, 58, was the driver of the southbound International. He sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. David Thompson, 31, Milbank, S.D., was the driver of the northbound International. He was not injured.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts.

South Dakota’s Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.

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