Fatal Crash Near Rowena Claims Life of Iowa Resident

An Iowa resident died on Thursday September 1, 2016 after a crash on Highway 42 between Rowena South Dakota and Grand Falls Casino.

The collision took place on Tuesday August 30, 2016  on South Dakota Highway 42, mile marker 377, two miles east of Rowena at 12:52 PM according to Tony Mangan with the department of safety.

Rohit Shah, 57, Rock Valley, Iowa, was driving a 2004 Toyota Rav 4 westbound on South Dakota Highway 42 when the vehicle came to a complete stop in the westbound lane. A 2007 International Truck Tractor, which was following in the same lane, rear-ended the first vehicle sending it into the north ditch.

The second driver, Philip Gacke, 30, Canton, SD, was not injured. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

South Dakota’s Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Other agencies that assisted on site were the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, Valley Springs Fire Department and Med-Star Ambulance.