OCTOBER 2, 2023:
Two men from Minnesota have been identified as the two people who died August 18, 2023, in a car versus train collision in Elkton, S.D.
Preliminary crash information from the South Dakota Highway Patrol indicates a 2011 Kia Sorrento was traveling southbound on S.D. Highway 13. For an unknown reason, the Sorrento crashed through the warning arm of the train crossing and struck the train that was crossing S.D 13. The Sorrento caught fire and the two occupants were trapped inside.
The train derailed and crashed into a grain elevator. SD Hwy 13 was closed for several hours and then reopened. Cornell Avenue was closed for the next several days while derailed train cars were removed.
Due to injuries sustained in the crash, a DNA confirmation process was required for positive identification of the two persons in the Sorrento. That confirmation is now complete.
The driver of the 2011 Kia Sorrento, Devon Fletcher, age 28, of Pipestone, MN., sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The passenger of the 2011 Kia Sorrento, Donovan Hollis, age 37, of Trosky, MN., sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
South Dakota’s Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
AUGUST 20, 2023:
Two people died Friday night (Aug. 18, 2023, 7:06pm) in a car versus train collision in Elkton.
The names of the persons involved have not been released pending notification of family members.
Preliminary crash information from the South Dakota Highway Patrol indicates a 2011 Kia Sorrento was traveling southbound on S.D. Highway 13. For an unknown reason, the Sorrento crashed through the warning arm of the train crossing and struck the train that was crossing S.D 13. The Sorrento caught fire and the two occupants were trapped inside. It is currently not known which occupant in the Sorrento was the driver and which was the passenger. The train derailed and crashed into a grain elevator.
SD Hwy 13 was closed for several hours and then reopened. Cornell Avenue will be closed for the next several days while derailed train cars are removed.
Both occupants of the car were pronounced deceased at the scene.
South Dakota’s Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
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