Watertown Man dies in Accident in Moody County

A 57-year-old man died Sunday, September 8, from injuries sustained in a two-vehicle crash 13 miles south of Brookings, SD.

Preliminary crash information indicates  21-year-old Nathan H. O’Brien from Brookings, the driver of a 2012 Toyota Rav4 SUV, was traveling northbound on Interstate 29 near mile marker 119 when the vehicle in front of him made a sudden lane change, revealing a motorcycle that appeared to be leaving the shoulder to reenter traffic. The SUV collided with the motorcycle, driven by 57-year-old  James E. Formanek of Watertown. The motorcycle entered the east ditch where it rolled, separating Formanek from the motorcycle. O’Brien lost control of the SUV, entered the east ditch and rolled.

O’Brien was transported to a nearby hospital with minor injuries. Formanek was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. All information released so far is only preliminary.