HARRISBURG, S.D. — Two people from Harrisburg, South Dakota, have been identified following a fatal truck-versus-train crash on Wednesday, Dec. 7.
Authorities responded to reports at approximately 4:43 p.m. of a vehicle colliding with a train near the intersection of 274 St. and 476 Ave., about a mile south of Harrisburg.
Preliminary crash information indicates that a 2018 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup was westbound on 274 Street, west of the intersection with 476 Avenue, when the driver did not yield at a railroad crossing. The pickup collided with a southbound BNSF train.
The two passengers in the pickup, Jennifer Torgerson, 45, and Kaylee Torgerson, 12, were pronounced dead at the scene. Philip Torgerson, the 44-year-old driver, sustained life-threatening injuries. He was flown to a Sioux Falls hospital.
Jason Husted, 43, of Sioux City, Iowa, was the operator of the train. He was not injured.
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Seatbelt use of those involved is under investigation. Charges are pending against the pickup driver.
South Dakota Highway Patrol will continue to investigate the crash. All information released thus far is only preliminary.
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