Hutchinson County, SD (March 24, 2025) – A 73-year-old man tragically died following a collision with a semi-truck while attempting a U-turn on 426th Avenue near 281st Street on the evening of March 24, 2025.
Accident Details: According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety (DPS), the crash occurred around 6 p.m. Preliminary information indicates that the driver of a 1999 Cadillac DeVille was traveling north on 426th Avenue. He slowed down near the intersection of 281st Street to attempt a U-turn. The driver of a 1998 Peterbilt 379 semi also traveled north and tried to maneuver around the Cadillac as it made the U-turn. The vehicles collided, and both went into the west ditch. The driver of the Cadillac was killed.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: U-turns require extra caution and must be performed only when safe. Determining fault in a U-turn accident can be complex, and investigators must carefully examine multiple factors to assess what went wrong. One key consideration is whether the semi-truck followed too closely behind the Cadillac. Commercial trucks require significantly more time and distance to slow down or maneuver safely, and if the semi was traveling too closely, it might not have had sufficient space to react when the Cadillac began its U-turn.
To determine the cause of the crash, investigators will analyze various types of evidence, including skid marks, vehicle positions, and any available surveillance or dashcam footage that may capture the moments leading up to the collision. Additionally, because the semi-truck was a commercial vehicle, its electronic logging device (ELD) may provide critical data about the truck’s speed and braking patterns before the impact. This evidence will help investigators assess whether the semi followed too closely, whether the Cadillac’s U-turn was executed safely, and whether either driver had sufficient time and space to avoid the collision.
Depending on the investigation’s findings, the victim’s family may have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim. Such claims can help compensate for funeral costs, loss of companionship, and other damages.
My deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased.
Source: Dakota News Now