Emma Jean Radabaugh Obituary, Death – Authorities have released the names of those involved in a deadly two-vehicle crash that happened about 15 miles northwest of Union Center, South Dakota. The South Dakota Highway Patrol confirmed that the collision claimed the life of one woman and left a teenage driver with minor injuries.

The accident occurred on a one-lane gravel road, where visibility and space for maneuvering are often limited. According to investigators, 83-year-old Sharon Frances Herron of Union Center was driving a 2020 Honda Civic eastbound. As her car crested the top of a hill, it collided head-on with a westbound 2002 Ford F-350 pickup truck driven by 19-year-old Emma Jean Radabaugh of Enning. The narrow conditions and sudden rise in the terrain likely contributed to the two vehicles meeting unexpectedly in the same stretch of roadway.

Troopers said Herron sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced dead at the scene. Officials are still determining whether she was wearing a seat belt at the time of the accident. Radabaugh, who was wearing her seat belt, survived the collision but suffered minor injuries. She was treated for her injuries and later released.

The Highway Patrol emphasized that their investigation remains ongoing, and details at this stage are still preliminary. Crash reconstruction specialists are working to piece together the sequence of events that led to the deadly collision. Factors such as road conditions, vehicle speed, and visibility at the crest of the hill will likely be reviewed in detail before a final report is issued.

The loss of Sharon Herron has deeply impacted the Union Center community. At 83 years old, she was a longtime resident of the area and well known by many. Community members expressed sadness at the sudden tragedy and emphasized the challenges of driving on rural gravel roads, where one-lane passages and blind hills present frequent dangers.

Teen driver Emma Jean Radabaugh, though fortunate to escape with only minor injuries, now faces the emotional weight of being involved in a crash that ended a life. Authorities have not suggested that alcohol, drugs, or reckless driving played a role, but they will continue to review all possibilities as the investigation moves forward.

The Highway Patrol also used the incident as an opportunity to remind drivers about the importance of seat belt use, even on short rural trips. Investigators stressed that while Radabaugh’s seat belt clearly played a role in reducing her injuries, they are still working to determine whether Herron was restrained at the time of impact.

As is standard in fatal crashes, the Highway Patrol will complete a full report once all evidence has been analyzed. This includes reviewing witness statements, vehicle damage, and the final positions of both vehicles after the collision.

For now, the crash stands as a sobering reminder of the hazards that come with rural driving in South Dakota. Narrow gravel roads and blind hill crests can quickly turn routine drives into dangerous encounters, making attentiveness and caution critical for drivers of all ages.