19-Year-Old Hayden Joe Schmautz Identified as Victim in Hughes County Crash

Accident – Death – Obituary News : NOVEMBER 13, 2023:

A tragic incident occurred on Friday afternoon (Nov. 10, 2023, 4:32pm CT) in Hughes County, South Dakota, resulting in the loss of a young life. The victim has been identified as a 19-year-old man from Fort Pierre. The South Dakota Highway Patrol has provided preliminary crash information, indicating that the collision involved two vehicles, a 2023 Chevy 2500 and a Jeep, which collided head-on on SD Highway 1804, approximately 11 miles north of Pierre.

Tragically, the driver of the Jeep, identified as Hayden Joe Schmautz, sustained fatal injuries in the accident. Authorities are currently investigating the use of seatbelts in this case. It is crucial to determine whether seatbelt usage played a role in the severity of the injuries suffered by Schmautz.

The driver of the 2023 Chevy 2500, Adan Ignacio Garcia from Raton, New Mexico, also suffered serious injuries in the collision. However, his injuries are reported to be non-life threatening. Garcia was promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Fortunately, he was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident, which likely contributed to his survival.

Remarkably, there were no passengers present in either vehicle involved in the collision. The absence of passengers may have played a role in preventing additional injuries or fatalities.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol has taken charge of the investigation into this tragic incident. As an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, the Highway Patrol is well-equipped to handle such investigations and determine the factors that contributed to the crash.

NOVEMBER 11, 2023:

In a devastating accident that occurred yesterday afternoon (Nov. 10, 2023, 4:32pm CT) in Hughes County, South Dakota, a 19-year-old man lost his life, while a 27-year-old man sustained serious injuries. The identities of those involved have been withheld pending notification of their respective family members.

Preliminary crash details released by the South Dakota Highway Patrol shed light on the sequence of events. The collision involved a 2023 Chevy 2500 and a Jeep, which tragically collided head-on along SD 1804, near mile marker 260, approximately 11 miles north of Pierre. It is worth noting that neither vehicle had any passengers at the time of the accident.

Regrettably, the 19-year-old male driver of the Jeep was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigation into seatbelt usage is currently underway, as authorities seek to determine whether this safety precaution could have made a difference in the outcome.

On the other hand, the 27-year-old male driver of the 2023 Chevy 2500 sustained serious injuries, but fortunately, they are not believed to be life-threatening. Prompt medical attention was provided, and the injured driver was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital. Notably, this individual was wearing a seatbelt, which likely played a significant role in mitigating the severity of their injuries.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol has taken on the responsibility of investigating this tragic incident. Being an agency of the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, the Highway Patrol possesses the necessary expertise and resources to conduct a thorough investigation into the crash.

In conclusion, this heart-wrenching accident serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to safety measures such as wearing seatbelts. As the investigation progresses, it is hoped that valuable insights will be gained to prevent similar tragedies in the future..