Mina woman identified in fatal crash west of Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.D. (Press Release) – A Mina, S.D. woman has been identified as the person who died in a two-vehicle crash last Friday morning west of Columbia.

A 2013 Dodge Journey was northbound on 391st Avenue when it failed to stop for a posted stop sign at the intersection with 123rd Street. The vehicle was struck in the intersection by a 2005 Peterbilt Conventional 379 semi-truck and trailer, which was westbound on 123rd Steet.

Paula Kleinsasser, the 57-year-old driver of the Dodge, was pronounced dead at the scene. Isaac Abeln of Columbia, S.D., the 41-year-old driver of the semi-truck, received serious non-life threatening injuries. He was airlifted to an Aberdeen hospital.

Both drivers were wearing seat belts.

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