ABERDEEN, S.D. (aberdeenews.com) – Two people were taken to the hospital with injuries Tuesday after the driver of a semi struck a tractor on U.S. Highway 12 between Aberdeen and Groton, according to a news release from the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
The crash was 2 miles east of Bath at 4:53 p.m.
Dennis Jones, 75, of Bath was westbound on a John Deere 4440 tractor and was attempting to turn right onto 379th avenue when he was struck from behind by the semi, according to the release. Charles Mulkey, 56, of Chatsworth, Ga., was driving the semi. He was also westbound.
Mulkey hit the brakes and went into a skid before hitting the tractor, according to the release, which noted that he has life-threatening injuries. He to be extricated from the semi and was taken to an Aberdeen hospital by Careflight. He was later transported to Sioux Falls for care.
Jones had serious injures that were not life-threatening, according to the release. He was not wearing a seat belt and it’s unknown if Mulkey was wearing a seat belt. Charges are pending against both drivers as the crash remains under investigation by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, per the release.
Westbound lanes were closed for about five hours following the crash.
(www.aberdeennews.com)