MITCHELL, SD (Mitchell Now) — A Rapid City man has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for second-degree murder following a fatal collision on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation, according to information released by U.S. Attorney Ron Parsons.
U.S. District Judge Eric C. Schulte sentenced Lucas Guerue, 28, on Nov. 9, 2026. Guerue also received an eight-year sentence for assault with a dangerous weapon. The sentences will run concurrently.
According to the release, Guerue was drinking whiskey while driving with a friend shortly after 2 a.m. on March 20, 2025, when he spotted a Chevrolet Traverse carrying the victims. He had previously threatened to shoot its driver.
Guerue pursued the Traverse at high speeds on U.S. Highway 18 between Rosebud and Mission, then intentionally rammed its rear at 118 mph to hurt its occupants.
The Traverse entered a ditch and rolled. Both occupants were ejected. The driver died, and the passenger suffered severe injuries. Guerue fled but was later apprehended.
A federal grand jury indicted Guerue in May 2025. He pleaded guilty Aug. 13, 2026.
His sentence includes five years of supervised release for murder and three years for assault, along with a separate $100 special assessment for each conviction.
The release cited the Major Crimes Act as the basis for federal prosecution. Rosebud Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement Services and the FBI investigated. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kimberly Zachrison prosecuted the case.
Guerue was immediately placed in U.S. Marshals Service custody.