Ethan Man Charged with Vehicular Homicide in Fatal Crash

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) — An 18-year-old Ethan man is facing four criminal charges in a vehicle crash that killed one person and injured several others.

The Daily Republic reports 18-year-old Tate Thompson is charged with vehicular homicide, vehicular battery, driving under the influence, and hit and run.

The charges stem from a weekend crash that killed 18-year-old Dylan Mentele, of Alexandria. A 17-year-old female passenger from Mitchell was airlifted to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. Two other passengers suffered minor injuries, and Thompson also was hurt.

The Highway Patrol says Thompson was driving a vehicle that crashed in a ditch off a Davison County road about 4 a.m. Saturday.

Thompson faces up to 28 years in prison if convicted on all four charges. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney.