PENNINGTON COUNTY, SD — Authorities have released the names of two Illinois residents who died in a three-vehicle crash Thursday near Hill City. The wreck happened on U.S. Highway 385 and shut the road for several hours.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol says the information released so far is preliminary while the investigation continues.
Crash happened Thursday afternoon on U.S. Highway 385
The collision was reported at 1:51 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at mile marker 89, about 8 miles northeast of Hill City. Highway 385 remained closed for roughly four hours after the crash.
According to preliminary information, Kurt D. Klokkenga, 69, of Emden, Illinois, was riding a 1953 Harley-Davidson northbound alongside Kendall D. Klokkenga, 72, of Glendale, Arizona, who was operating a 1956 Harley-Davidson FLE 74CI.
SUV was waiting to turn when another vehicle passed on the shoulder
Investigators say Ann Mischell, 67, was driving a 2011 Toyota 4Runner northbound and waiting for oncoming traffic to clear before turning onto Wrinkle Valley Road. A fourth vehicle traveling between the SUV and the motorcycles then passed the Toyota on the shoulder.
Officials say the two motorcycle riders tried to stop, but their brakes locked. Kendall Klokkenga laid his motorcycle down on the road.
Kurt Klokkenga and passenger Regina Klokkenga died at the scene
Authorities say Kurt Klokkenga’s Harley-Davidson struck the Toyota and caught fire, and the fire spread to the SUV. Kurt Klokkenga and his passenger, Regina K. Klokkenga, 69, also of Emden, were wearing helmets and suffered fatal injuries.
Kendall Klokkenga was taken to a Rapid City hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Officials said his helmet use is still being reviewed.
Other occupants were not hurt as the crash remains under investigation
Mischell and her passenger, Nancy Turner, 62, were not injured. Both were wearing seat belts, according to the crash report.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating. All details released so far are considered preliminary.
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