Kelley Rodriguez, 40 years old, of Lincoln, NE, was identified as the female that died in a fatal two-vehicle crash one mile south of Brookings on Interstate 29. According to the report, on Wednesday, November 16th, 2022 around 10:51 am, Rodriguez was driving a 2020 Chevy Equinox and “was stationary in the driving lane of Interstate 29 when it was rear-ended by a 2020 Mack Anthem Truck and Tanker.” No additional information was provided about why Equinox was stopped on the road.
Rodriguez was pronounced dead at the scene. 39-year-old James Vaniperen of Davis, SD, drove the truck and tank. The Equinox was pushed into the ditch and “came to rest against a sign.”
“The truck and tanker also went into the east ditch, across a service road, and came to rest on the railroad tracks,” as reported. Both drivers wore seatbelts, and the SD Highway Patrol is the investigating agency.