Five Killed in Fiery Single-Vehicle Crash Near Scenic, South Dakota

Pennington County, SD — A devastating single-vehicle crash late Wednesday night claimed the lives of five people just three miles east of Scenic, according to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.

The Crash

Preliminary reports indicate that around late evening on October 1, 2025, the driver of a 2004 Honda Pilot was traveling eastbound on SD Highway 44 near mile marker 90 when the vehicle failed to negotiate a curve. The SUV veered off the roadway into the north ditch and collided with a concrete barrier. Following the impact, the vehicle ignited, becoming engulfed in flames.

The crash was catastrophic. The driver and four passengers all perished at the scene despite emergency crews’ rapid response.

Victims Identified

Authorities have since identified three of the victims as:

Twila Cante Suta
AmbieDgirl Longsoldier
Chad Doyle

The names of the other two victims have not yet been publicly released pending notification of family members.

Ongoing Investigation

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the crash, with assistance from local first responders in Pennington County. At this stage, officials have not confirmed contributing factors such as speed, road conditions, or possible impairment.

Highway 44 was temporarily closed Wednesday night as crews worked to extinguish the fire, recover the victims, and investigate the scene.

Community Mourns

The tragedy has deeply shaken the Scenic and surrounding Pennington County community. The sudden loss of five lives in one accident has left families and neighbors reeling. Support networks are being mobilized to assist loved ones as they grieve.

In a statement, officials urged the public to keep the victims’ families in their thoughts: “This is an unimaginable loss for several families and our community. Our hearts go out to those mourning tonight.”

Moving Forward

As the investigation continues, authorities remind motorists of the importance of caution when traveling rural highways, particularly in late evening hours when visibility is low and road conditions may be challenging.

Funeral arrangements for the victims are expected to be announced in the coming days.