A Rapid City man and Sturgis man were recovering after a Tuesday morning three-car accident sent them for medical treatment at Rapid City Regional Hospital and Fort Meade Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Slick roads and high winds may have contributed to the accident, according to the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
Patrol Lt. David Berkley said Wednesday that Ralph Ziegler, 61, of Sturgis was driving west on Interstate 90 when he lost control of his 2008 Chevrolet Colorado pickup while going under the bridge at mile marker 40. After hitting the guardrail, the truck was disabled as it careened back into traffic.
Then two following vehicles collided, a 2008 Chevy Impala driven by Melvin Parlet, 86, of Rapid City and a 2002 Buick Park Avenue driven by Robert Nicholson, 57, Black Hawk. Parlet's vehicle then collided with Ziegler's truck, deploying the driver's side protective airbag.
Ziegler was taken by Piedmont Ambulance to Rapid City Regional Hospital with neck and back injuries. Parlet, who received minor injuries from the airbag, was taken to Fort Meade near Sturgis. The men were not listed as patients Wednesday, indicating that they had been treated and released or did not want their conditions made public.
Nicholson of Black Hawk was not injured. All three men were wearing their seat belts. Alcohol was not involved, Berkley said.
