Fatal Traffic Crashes on Rise in South Dakota

The number of fatal traffic crashes is on the rise in South Dakota.

State Highway Safety Director Lee Axdahl tells KELO-TV that there have been 63 fatal crashes on South Dakota roads as of Monday. That compares to just 48 on the same date last year.

Axdahl says 28 of this year’s fatal crashes involved alcohol and 18 involved speed.

However, this year’s numbers are still below the six-year average. Axdahl says over the past six years, an average of 81 fatal crashes had occurred by this date.