Gregory, SD — April 13, 2025, One person was killed and one was injured in a car accident that happened around 10:13 A.M. on Highway 18.

An investigation is underway into a car accident that left a teenager dead and another teen injured during the morning hours of April 13th. According to official reports, a 15-year-old girl was operating a Chevy Blazer with a 15-year-old female passenger, on Highway 18 in the eastbound lanes near mile marker 276 just outside of Gregory. For unknown reasons the vehicle lost control and drove onto the shoulder followed by an overcorrection of the vehicle which resulted in the Chevy spinning and entering a ditch causing it to roll.

When first responders arrived on the scene, they found that the passenger had been ejected from the vehicle and she and the driver sustained critical injuries and they were transported to the hospital, where the passenger later succumbed to her wounds. At this time there has been no further information released about the accident, including the status of the driver's injuries, however this remains an ongoing investigation and more details may be released in the future.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When a crash involves young people and results in the death of a teenager, it’s only natural to want answers—real answers, grounded in facts. A single-vehicle crash like this one, especially involving an overcorrection and a rollover, often leads to the assumption that driver error was the sole cause. But that’s a conclusion no one should jump to without first addressing three critical questions: Did the authorities thoroughly investigate the crash? Has anyone looked into the possibility that a vehicle defect caused the crash? And has all the electronic data relating to the crash been collected?

Investigating a crash that ends in a fatal rollover begins with understanding every detail of what happened before, during, and after the vehicle left the roadway. Authorities should have examined the crash site for skid marks, tire tracks, vehicle debris, and any roadside features that may have contributed to the loss of control. Witness statements—if available—are especially important when young drivers are involved, since they help corroborate the sequence of events. But the reality is that the level of detail in these investigations often varies depending on the department’s resources and training. When a crash involves a fatality, especially a young person, the priority must be making sure no question goes unanswered.

One of the most overlooked elements in single-vehicle crashes is the possibility of a vehicle defect. Rollovers following overcorrection raise important questions about vehicle stability, steering responsiveness, and tire integrity. Was the steering system working properly? Did a mechanical failure contribute to the initial drift onto the shoulder? Was there a suspension issue or a tire blowout that compromised control? And in cases where someone is ejected, the condition and use of seat belts or restraint systems must also be closely examined. These are not things that can be determined by observation alone—they require a hands-on forensic inspection of the vehicle. Unfortunately, many vehicles are quickly scrapped after crashes, and once that happens, the opportunity to investigate potential defects is lost.

Electronic data is another vital piece of the puzzle. The electronic control module (ECM) in the Chevy Blazer may contain key information about the vehicle’s behavior in the seconds leading up to the crash—speed, brake application, steering input, and more. This data could reveal whether the vehicle was responding as expected or whether there were signs of a malfunction. Other sources, like GPS data or dash cam footage (if equipped), can offer additional context. And while it’s less common to check, cell phone data might also help clarify whether distractions played a role. The key is preserving this data early. If the vehicle is towed, repaired, or destroyed without securing it, that evidence could disappear forever.

When young lives are at stake, it’s essential to dig deeper than surface-level explanations. Was the crash investigated thoroughly, with every contributing factor considered? Was the vehicle examined for mechanical failures or design flaws that could have led to or worsened the crash? And was every piece of electronic data, including the contents of the ECM, collected and preserved? These are the questions that must be asked—because until they’re answered, those left behind will never truly know why the crash happened, or whether it could have been prevented.