5 people dead, 1 seriously injured in South Dakota car crash

YANKTON, S.D. – South Dakota authorities are investigating after a driver failed to stop for police and hit another vehicle, leaving five people dead.

The Highway Patrol says a 12-year-old girl was also hurt in the crash about 1:20 a.m. Wednesday near Yankton, about 80 miles (130 kilometres) southwest of Sioux Falls.

A Yankton officer tried to stop an Acura on the highway when its headlights shut off and it crossed into oncoming lanes, hitting a Nissan. Yankton interim chief John Harris says one officer attempted the stop. Two others quickly arrived on scene.

The 27-year-old man driving the Acura and a passenger died. A 40-year-old woman, a 43-year-old man and a 10-year-old girl who were in the Nissan also died. A 12-year-old passenger was airlifted to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Officials haven’t released their names.