LINCOLN COUNTY, S.D. — Authorities have publicly identified the individuals involved in a tragic late-night car accident near Lennox. The South Dakota Highway Patrol confirmed that Elijah Cooper, 21, of Sioux Falls, was driving the vehicle, and Tyree Wilson, 51, also of Sioux Falls, was his passenger.
According to officials, at approximately 11:12 p.m. on Saturday, Cooper was operating a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee eastbound on 275th Street when he crossed the center line, entered a roadside ditch, and the vehicle overturned multiple times.
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Wilson was ejected from the vehicle during the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Cooper, though alive, sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to a hospital in Sioux Falls for critical care.
Investigators with the South Dakota Department of Public Safety and Lincoln County law enforcement are currently probing the circumstances of the rollover. They say they will examine possible contributing factors, including vehicle speed, road conditions, or impairment.
Officials note the initial reports withheld the names of those involved while next of kin were being notified. This incident underscores the inherent risks of loss of vehicle control on rural stretches, particularly during nighttime hours.