CHAMBERLAIN - Four juveniles suffered minor injuries after allegedly stealing a vehicle in Fort Thompson and leading law enforcement on a high-speed chase.
A 13-year-old girl, driving a 2006 Chevrolet SUV, allegedly eluded police until the vehicle vaulted off an exit ramp, causing minor injuries for herself, a 14-year-old girl and two 10-year-old male passengers, according to Chamberlain Police Chief Joe Hutmacher.
At about 11 p.m. Tuesday, Chamberlain police attempted a traffic stop on a vehicle reported stolen out of Fort Thompson. The vehicle drove onto Interstate 90 and allegedly traveled west for nearly 20 miles, reaching speeds of 110 mph, Hutmacher said.
At exit 248 to Reliance, the 13-year-old girl allegedly exited the interstate but lost control of the vehicle and vaulted across Highway 47. The vehicle landed on all four wheels in the ditch and struck a metal post.
The four individuals were transported to a hospital in Chamberlain, but Hutmacher said no one was seriously injured in the pursuit.
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"They're just very fortunate with the speeds that were involved and the young age of the driver that nobody was hurt or killed," Hutmacher said.
Charges are pending against the driver, which could include aggravated eluding, reckless driving and driving without a license, Hutmacher said. The juveniles could also be charged with grand theft out of Buffalo County or Fort Thompson.
The Lyman County Sheriff's Office, South Dakota Highway Patrol and Missouri Valley Ambulance Service assisted during the incident.
