RAPID CITY, S.D. – A two-vehicle crash six miles west of Rapid City claimed the life of a 76-year-old woman and left another woman with life-threatening injuries Thursday afternoon.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol reported the fatal collision occurred at approximately 3:45 p.m. on U.S. Highway 16 near mile marker 58, at the intersection with Busted Five Court.

According to preliminary crash information, a 1996 Toyota Corolla driven by a 56-year-old Rapid City woman entered the intersection from Busted Five Court. A 2019 GMC Sierra, driven by a 58-year-old man from Newcastle, Wyoming, was traveling westbound on Highway 16 and collided with the Corolla.

The impact caused the Corolla to spin onto the north shoulder, ejecting the passenger.

State authorities confirmed neither occupant in the Corolla was wearing a seat belt. Both the driver and the 76-year-old passenger, also from Rapid City, were transported to Monument Health with life-threatening injuries. The passenger later died at the hospital.
The driver of the GMC Sierra, who was wearing a seat belt, sustained minor injuries in the crash.

Officials have not released the names of those involved pending the notification of family members.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol, an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, is leading the ongoing investigation. Authorities noted that all information released at this stage remains preliminary.