A severe car accident changed everything for residents of a Rapid City senior apartment complex.
Police say an SUV driving at a high rate of speed crashed into the apartment Tuesday, leaving the driver and a passenger of the vehicle dead.
Rapid City Police Department public information officer Brendyn Medina said the incident was more than just a car accident.
“When the vehicle struck the building, it did sever a gas line causing an extensive gas leak that provided a high risk of explosion," Medin said. "First responders on scene quickly worked to evacuate the residents of the apartment building, and thanks to the help of Pennington County Emergency Management and staff at the Holiday Inn across the street they were able to provide shelter to around 50 residents from the apartment building.”
Feeding South Dakota and Meals on Wheels South Dakota are providing meals to residents.
Medina said as of Friday, it’s unclear when residents will be able to return to their homes.
“I’m not sure to what degree work needs to be done on the apartment building before they can move back in, but anybody who drives by on Haines Avenue can see there’s some pretty extensive damage to that western face of the building,” Medina said.
A second passenger remains in critical condition. There were no fatalities in the apartment building.