Teenage Boy Killed, 4 Injured in Pickup Rollover Crash

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A 15-year-old boy was killed and four other teenage boys were injured after a pickup truck they were riding in rolled over on a gravel road on the grounds of Sturgis High School in western South Dakota. The driver, also a teenager, lost control while turning into a gravel lot, causing the pickup to roll over and eject the boys in the truck bed. The 15-year-old who died was transported to a hospital in Sturgis before being airlifted to Rapid City, where he later passed away. The three other 14-year-olds in the truck bed suffered minor injuries.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the dangers of unsafe driving practices, especially among young, inexperienced drivers. It also raises concerns about the safety of riding in the bed of a pickup truck, which is illegal in many states due to the high risk of injury or death in a crash. The crash occurred on school grounds, adding to the community impact.

The details

According to the South Dakota State Patrol, the pickup was carrying two 15-year-old boys in the cab and three 14-year-olds in the truck bed when the driver lost control while turning into a gravel lot. This caused the pickup to roll over, ejecting the boys in the bed. The 15-year-old who died was initially taken to a hospital in Sturgis before being airlifted to Rapid City, where he succumbed to his injuries. The three other 14-year-olds in the truck bed suffered minor injuries. Charges are pending against the driver.

• The crash happened on Sunday night.

What’s next

Charges are pending against the driver of the pickup truck.