Mound City man identified in fatal crash south of Herreid

HERREID, S.D. (Press Release) – A Mound City, S.D., man has been identified as the person who died from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday, July 2 south of Herreid.

A 2015 Freightliner Cascadia semi truck and trailer were northbound on U.S. Highway 83. While trying to pass a second vehicle, the semi truck collided with a southbound Buick LaCrosse. The collision occurred in the southbound lane.

Ernest Fjeldheim, 82,was driving the Buick. He was not wearing a seatbelt and suffered life threatening injuries. He died Thursday, July 4, in a Bismarck, N.D. hospital.

Asmerom Gebreselassie, 36, of Fargo, N.D., was driving the semi. He was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured. Charges are pending against him

That section of U.S. Highway 83 was closed to traffic for more than three hours after the crash.

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

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