SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — A 16-year-old Roosevelt High School student is dead and a 15-year-old is seriously hurt following a crash early Saturday morning.
A witness told investigators they saw a car run a red light at 26th Street and Bahnson Avenue just after three Saturday morning.
It appears the driver lost control and hit a tree.
The 15-year-old driver of the 2015 Fusion survived, but 16-year-old Kidus Getnet died at the scene.
The car flipped over and ended up on its top.
“Turns out that vehicle had been stolen, there had been a spare set of keys that had been left in the vehicle we are not sure if these two have any connection with the theft but obviously they were found inside that stolen vehicle,” said Sioux Falls Police Spokesman Sam Clemens.
Police say speed appears to be a factor, but the crash reconstruction team will be able to determine that for sure.
Both boys attended Roosevelt High, the District’s Assistant Superintendent says they’ve brought in a crisis team and are encouraging students to talk about the situation.
“We reached out to the family to make sure that they know we are thinking of them and caring for them and obviously to get permission to talk be able to discuss their child with the group, kids really need to be able to go through that process of grief and loss and it goes in so many different ways for each kid it’s just different,” said Assistant Superintendent Jamie Nold.
While the school will do its part, parents can also play a key role in helping young people deal with tragic events, by simply talking with them.
Investigators will also be looking to see if alcohol or drugs were involved, although police say there is no indication of that at this time.