By Crash News Writer 
Lennox, SD (November 8, 2026) – One person died and two others sustained serious injuries following a three-vehicle collision on South Dakota Highway 44 near Lennox in Turner County. According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, the October 28 accident involved a rear-end collision that sent an SUV into oncoming traffic, where it struck another vehicle.
The collision occurred at approximately 11:50 a.m. near the intersection of Highway 44 and 463rd Avenue, about three miles northwest of Lennox. Authorities released the names of the people involved on November 7, providing additional information about the crash and the injuries sustained.
According to the Department of Public Safety, a westbound Ford Expedition driven by Tracee Ellwein, 51, of Hurley, was slowing to make a left turn from Highway 44. A Chevrolet Express G2500 was traveling behind the Ford in the same direction.
The Chevrolet was driven by Kayden Wenish, 23, of Sioux Falls. Investigators reported that Wenish did not notice the Ford slowing down and struck the rear of the SUV.
The impact caused the Ford Expedition to spin into the eastbound lane of Highway 44. As the vehicle entered oncoming traffic, it collided with a Volkswagen Taos driven by Avis Georgeson, 80, of Hurley.
The second collision forced the Volkswagen off the highway and into a roadside ditch. Emergency responders arrived to assist the injured occupants and assess the damage to the three vehicles.
A passenger in the Volkswagen, Jim Georgeson, 86, of Hurley, sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital for emergency medical treatment. Despite receiving medical care, Georgeson died from his injuries on November 2, five days after the collision.
Avis Georgeson, who was driving the Volkswagen, also sustained serious injuries. Authorities reported that she was transported to a Sioux Falls hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Tracee Ellwein, the driver of the Ford Expedition, was also hospitalized with serious, non-life-threatening injuries. Officials have not provided additional information about her medical condition or recovery.
The Chevrolet driver, Kayden Wenish, was not injured in the collision, according to the Department of Public Safety. Authorities have not announced whether any traffic citations or criminal charges have been issued in connection with the accident.
The collision involved three vehicles traveling in opposite directions along Highway 44. Investigators have identified the initial rear-end impact as the event that caused the Ford Expedition to enter the eastbound lane, where the second collision occurred.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol continues investigating the crash. Additional findings may become available as investigators review the sequence of events and determine whether any traffic violations or other contributing factors were involved.
Understanding Your Rights After a Fatal Three-Vehicle Accident Near Lennox
Multi-vehicle collisions can create complicated situations for injured motorists and surviving family members. When an initial impact pushes a vehicle into oncoming traffic, the resulting injuries and property damage may involve several people who experienced different parts of the same accident.
Under car accident laws in South Dakota, injured individuals may have grounds to pursue compensation when another person’s negligence causes a collision. Families who lose a loved one may also have grounds to pursue a wrongful death claim under applicable state law.
Anyone searching for a car accident near me or a car accident near Lennox should understand that determining responsibility in a chain-reaction collision requires examining how the initial impact occurred and whether subsequent collisions resulted from that impact.
An official car accident report may help establish the vehicles’ directions of travel, the location of the initial collision, and the sequence of events leading to the injuries.
In the Lennox accident, investigators reported that a Chevrolet Express struck the rear of a slowing Ford Expedition. The Ford then spun into the opposite lane and collided with an eastbound Volkswagen Taos.
This sequence may be important when determining which actions contributed to the collision and whether one or more parties may be legally responsible.
How Is Fault Determined in a Rear-End Collision?
Drivers are expected to maintain reasonable control of their vehicles, pay attention to traffic conditions, and allow sufficient space to respond when another vehicle slows or stops.
South Dakota Codified Laws § 32-26-40 generally prohibits drivers from following another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, considering speed, traffic, and roadway conditions.
A rear-end collision may raise questions about whether the following driver was maintaining a safe distance or paying adequate attention. However, responsibility is not determined solely by the location of vehicle damage.
Investigators may examine braking patterns, vehicle speeds, roadway conditions, and witness statements to determine what occurred.
In the Highway 44 accident, the Department of Public Safety reported that the Chevrolet driver did not notice the Ford Expedition slowing for a left turn. Authorities have not released additional findings concerning the driver’s actions or announced any charges.
What Happens When an Initial Collision Causes a Second Crash?
Chain-reaction accidents may involve more than one impact, and the injuries sustained in a later collision can sometimes be traced to the original crash.
For example, when a rear-end impact pushes a vehicle into oncoming traffic, investigators may examine whether the first collision caused the second vehicle to enter another driver’s path.
This can be particularly important when someone who was not involved in the initial impact sustains serious injuries or dies.
In the Lennox collision, the Volkswagen was traveling eastbound when the Ford Expedition entered its lane following the rear-end impact. The Volkswagen subsequently left the roadway and came to rest in a ditch.
Determining potential civil responsibility requires examining the evidence and applying South Dakota’s negligence laws.
South Dakota uses a modified contributory negligence standard under SDCL § 20-9-2. An injured person’s contributory negligence does not automatically prevent recovery if it was slight in comparison with the defendant’s negligence, which must be gross by comparison.
This rule differs from the percentage-based comparative fault systems used in many other states. Whether an injured person can recover damages depends on the specific circumstances and the applicable legal standard.
People researching a car accident near me or a car accident near Lennox should understand that the actions of each driver must be evaluated individually. Being involved in a multi-vehicle collision does not automatically establish that a person contributed to causing it.
Can Families File a Wrongful Death Claim After a Fatal Crash?
South Dakota law allows qualifying wrongful death claims when a person’s death results from another party’s legally actionable conduct.
Under SDCL Chapter 21-5, a wrongful death action may be brought for the benefit of certain surviving family members when the statutory requirements are satisfied.
Depending on the circumstances, recoverable damages may address financial losses and other legally recognized harm resulting from the death.
In the Highway 44 collision, Jim Georgeson was seriously injured on October 28 and died at a Sioux Falls hospital on November 2. The fact that he survived for several days following the accident does not, by itself, prevent a potential wrongful death claim.
Medical records and other evidence may be necessary to establish the connection between injuries sustained in the collision and the subsequent death.
South Dakota generally provides three years to file personal injury actions under SDCL § 15-2-14. Wrongful death actions are also generally subject to a three-year deadline under SDCL § 21-5-3, although exceptions and specific legal requirements may apply.
What Evidence Is Important After a Three-Vehicle Accident?
Evidence from a multi-vehicle collision can help establish the sequence of impacts and identify which actions contributed to the injuries.
Photographs of vehicle damage, roadway markings, debris patterns, and the final resting positions of the vehicles may help investigators understand how the collision unfolded.
Witness statements can also be important, particularly when a driver was slowing to turn or when a vehicle was pushed into oncoming traffic.
An official car accident report may document the investigating officers’ initial findings, but additional evidence may be necessary to evaluate a potential injury or wrongful death claim.
Medical records may help establish the injuries sustained by surviving occupants, the treatment they received, and whether additional care is necessary.
When a crash results in serious injuries, financial losses may include medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation costs, and other damages recognized by law.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is continuing its investigation into the Lennox accident. Until additional findings are released, the full circumstances surrounding the collision and any determination of civil liability remain unresolved.
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE
This article reflects information reported by Dakota News Now on November 7, 2026, including details attributed to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety. The crash occurred on October 28, and authorities have since released the identities of those involved.
- One passenger died: Jim Georgeson, 86, of Hurley, was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital after the October 28 collision. He died from his injuries on November 2, five days after the accident.
- Two drivers seriously injured: Avis Georgeson, 80, and Tracee Ellwein, 51, were transported to a Sioux Falls hospital with serious injuries. Authorities described both individuals’ injuries as non-life-threatening.
- Crash location: The collision occurred around 11:50 a.m. on South Dakota Highway 44 near 463rd Avenue. The accident happened approximately three miles northwest of Lennox in Turner County.
- Three vehicles involved: A Chevrolet Express G2500 struck the rear of a slowing Ford Expedition, causing the Ford to spin into oncoming traffic. The Ford then collided with a Volkswagen Taos, forcing the Volkswagen into a roadside ditch.
- Chevrolet driver uninjured: Kayden Wenish, 23, of Sioux Falls, was not injured in the accident. Readers can review our frequently asked questions in South Dakota for additional information about accident-related claims.
- Investigation continues: The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the circumstances surrounding the three-vehicle collision. Injured motorists and surviving families can explore accident resources in South Dakota for further information.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Information reflects publicly available reports and may change as investigators release additional findings. No determination of negligence or civil liability should be assumed from the circumstances described. Please review our disclaimer for further details.
Fatal multi-vehicle accidents can leave surviving families facing funeral expenses, lost financial support, and questions about who may be responsible for the collision. Injured motorists may also face significant medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and time away from work. South Dakota law establishes specific requirements for personal injury claims, wrongful death actions, and negligence. A South Dakota personal injury lawyer can review the available evidence, explain applicable filing deadlines, and discuss whether injured individuals or surviving family members may have grounds to pursue compensation.