A Rapid City woman died from a two-vehicle crash Thursday on US Highway 16, six miles west of Rapid City, SD.
Preliminary crash information indicates Leah Renee Thornton, the driver of a 1996 Toyota Corolla, had entered the intersection on US 16 from Busted Five Court when a westbound 2019 GMC Sierra driven by Donald Leslie Holmes on US 16 collided with the Corolla. The Corolla spun onto the north shoulder, ejecting the passenger, Lyla Dee Henrichsen.
Both the driver and passenger in the Corolla were transported to Monument Health with life-threatening injuries. Neither were wearing seat belts. Henrichsen later died from her injuries. Holmes sustained minor injuries.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary.
The Highway Patrol is an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
In Touch 6/17/26
June 17, 2026
Grace Chipman with the Aberdeen Area Arts Council join us to talk about this weekend’s “Arts In the Park” and more…
