HERMOSA, S.D. – A Rapid City teenager died in a two-vehicle collision on South Dakota Highway 40 on Wednesday evening, according to the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

The victim has been identified as Carlos Ray Cross, 18, of Rapid City.

Preliminary crash information indicates that Cross was driving a 2019 Toyota Camry westbound near mile marker 52, approximately two miles east of Hermosa. At 5:54 p.m., the Camry entered the eastbound lane.

At the same time, Alicia Nicole Hayden, 34, was approaching from the eastbound lane in a 2021 Ford Explorer. Hayden attempted to avoid the oncoming Camry, but the two vehicles struck each other.

Cross sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Hayden suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a Rapid City hospital via Life Flight. Both drivers were wearing seat belts.

Three passengers in Hayden’s vehicle sustained minor injuries. Authorities identified one passenger as Tylar Elizabeth Causey, 35, of Hermosa. The other two passengers were a 7-year-old female and a 7-year-old male.

South Dakota Highway 40 was closed for approximately one hour following the collision while emergency crews cleared the scene.

The investigation into the crash remains ongoing by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. All released information is considered preliminary.