HERMOSA, S.D. – An 18-year-old Rapid City man died Wednesday evening in a two-vehicle collision on South Dakota Highway 40 near Hermosa, according to the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred at 5:54 p.m. at mile marker 52, approximately 2 miles east of Hermosa.

Preliminary investigation details indicate that the 18-year-old was driving a 2019 Toyota Camry westbound on Highway 40 when his vehicle entered the eastbound lane. A 2021 Ford Explorer, driven by a 34-year-old female, was traveling eastbound and attempted to avoid the Camry before the two vehicles collided.

The driver of the Camry sustained fatal injuries. The driver of the Explorer suffered serious, non-life-threatening injuries and was flown to a Rapid City hospital via Life Flight. Authorities noted that both drivers were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash.

Three passengers in the Explorer suffered minor injuries. The passengers were identified as a 35-year-old female from Hermosa, a 7-year-old female and a 7-year-old male.

South Dakota Highway 40 was closed to traffic for approximately one hour following the incident.

The names of those involved are being withheld 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.