Name Released in Lincoln County Fatal UTV Crash

HARRISBURG, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW)

What:    Single vehicle fatal crash
Where:  27225 480^th Ave (Lake Alvine/Nine Mile Creek), five miles NE of Harrisburg, SD
When:   2:10 p.m. Saturday, June 22, 2024

Driver 1: Merlyn Duane Rennich, 87-year-old male from Harrisburg, SD, fatal injuries
Vehicle 1: 2013 Kawasaki Mule side x side UTV
Seatbelt/Helmet Use: No

Lincoln County, S.D.- An 87-year-old man died Saturday afternoon in a single vehicle crash five miles northeast of Harrisburg, SD.

Preliminary crash information indicates Merlyn D. Rennich, the driver of a 2013 Kawasaki Mule, was traveling northbound on 480^th Avenue from 273^rd Street. The road was closed at the time due to flooding, and the east shoulder of the road had washed away. As Rennich attempted to turn around, he went backwards over the edge of the washout. The UTV began to roll, and Rennich was ejected. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary.

Note: Records of state-reportable crashes are now available at http://www.safesd.gov/  Records should be available about 10 days after the investigation is complete.