TULARE, S.D. (Press Release) – Two people died and three other people were seriously injured in a two-vehicle crash that occurred early Sunday night south of Tulare.

Names of the five people involved are not being released pending notification of family members.

A 2007 Chevrolet Impala was northbound on U.S. Highway 281 when it crossed the centerline and struck head-on a 2014 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 281.

Both female occupants of the Impala were pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was 15 years old and the passenger 18 years old. Both were wearing seat belts.

All three occupants of the pickup received serious non-life threatening injuries. Both male passengers, ages 29 and 65, were taken to the Huron hospital and later airlifted to Sioux Falls. The 28-year-old female driver was taken to the Huron hospital. Two of the three occupants were wearing seat belts; the 65-year-old passenger was not.

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

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

There appears to be a connection to Ipswich, because the school announced on its Facebook page that it was starting late this morning and that clergy and counselors will be available. Part of the post read, “Our hearts are broken today. Two beautiful young people taken far too soon.”