ELKTON, S.D. (Press Release) – An Elkton, S.D., man has been identified as the person who died Monday afternoon in a two-vehicle crash west of Elkton.
A 2004 Ford F150 pickup was westbound when it made a U-turn at the intersection of 484th Avenue and South Dakota Highway 13. As the vehicle was going east on SD Highway 13, it crossed the centerline into the westbound lane and into the path of a 1998 Ford Conventional semi truck and pup trailer loaded with gravel. The pickup collided with the pup trailer and then went into the north ditch.
Robert Rochel, the 69-year-old driver of the pickup, was pronounced dead at the scene. He was not wearing a seatbelt.
Gerrit Slegers, 69, Benton, MN, was driving the semi truck. He was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured.
South Dakota’s Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.
The Highway Patrol is part of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.