MITCHELL, S.D. -- Kevin Gardeman, 62, of Corsica, was killed Wednesday afternoon near Mitchell after rolling the lumber truck he was driving.
According to the South Dakota Highway Patrol, at approximately 1:17 p.m., the passenger side wheels of Gardeman's truck -- a 1999 Ford F800 delivery truck carrying a load of lumber -- went off the pavement while he was traveling east on 247th Street near the intersection of 416th Avenue, three miles north and seven miles east of Mitchell in Hanson County.
This caused the vehicle to enter the south ditch, at which point Gardeman overcorrected to the left, forcing the truck across the roadway and into the north ditch, the Highway Patrol said. The truck rolled and came to rest on its roof with the cab partially submerged in water.
Gardeman was trapped inside the vehicle and although those first on the scene of the accident attempted to rescue Gardeman, he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the Highway Patrol.
ADVERTISEMENT
Gardeman was wearing his seat belt, and alcohol was not a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation.
