Jim Georgeson Dies After Three-Car Crash on SD Highway 44

Fatal Three-Vehicle Crash Near Lennox Claims Life of 86-Year-Old

Authorities in Turner County have confirmed the names of those involved in a fatal three-vehicle collision that occurred on South Dakota Highway 44 late last month. The crash, which took place near 463rd Avenue approximately three miles northwest of Lennox, has left one family mourning and two others recovering from significant injuries.

According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, the incident unfolded at roughly 11:50 a.m. on October 28. As reported by Dakota News Now, 51-year-old Tracee Ellwein of Hurley was operating a westbound Ford Expedition when she slowed down to execute a left-hand turn. Behind her, 23-year-old Kayden Wenish of Sioux Falls was driving a Chevrolet Express G2500. Officials state that Wenish failed to observe the slowing vehicle ahead, resulting in a rear-end collision.

The force of that initial impact pushed the Ford Expedition into the eastbound lane of traffic. Once in the oncoming lane, the vehicle struck a Volkswagen Taos driven by 80-year-old Avis Georgeson of Hurley. The momentum from that second collision forced the Volkswagen off the roadway and into a nearby ditch.

The Human Toll and Ongoing Investigation

The consequences of the crash were severe. A passenger in the Volkswagen, 86-year-old Jim Georgeson of Hurley, sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Sioux Falls. Despite medical intervention, he passed away from his injuries on November 2. Avis Georgeson and Tracee Ellwein were also transported to a Sioux Falls hospital to receive treatment for serious, non-life-threatening injuries. Kayden Wenish, the driver of the van, was not injured in the incident.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol remains the lead agency investigating the circumstances of the crash. While the sequence of events has been established, the inquiry into why the initial rear-end collision occurred remains active. Investigations of this nature typically involve a reconstruction of the scene, an analysis of potential driver distraction, and an assessment of road conditions at the time of the event.

State-level data on traffic safety, often tracked through the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, highlights the volatility of two-lane highway travel, where minor lapses in attention—such as failing to notice a vehicle slowing for a turn—can rapidly escalate into multi-car accidents. For rural communities like Hurley and Lennox, these incidents underscore the persistent risks associated with high-speed, two-lane arterial roads, where the margin for error is often razor-thin.

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on the forensic evidence collected at the scene. The South Dakota Highway Patrol has not yet released findings regarding potential citations or criminal charges, as the case is still considered open. For now, the families involved are left to contend with the aftermath of an afternoon commute that turned tragic in a matter of seconds.