Man killed in crash caused by dead deer identified

YANKTON, S.D. (KELO) -- The man killed in a crash seven miles west of Yankton has been identified.

The Department of Public Safety says a 2008 Chevy Cobalt was traveling westbound on SD Highway 50 near mile marker 375 when the driver hit a dead deer that was lying in the westbound roadway.

The driver lost control of the vehicle and entered the eastbound lane. At the same time, a driver of a 2010 Chevy Cobalt was approaching from the opposite direction and collided with the 2008 Chevy Cobalt.

Officials say 30-year-old Andrew Kotalik died in the crash. The driver of the 2010 Chevy Cobalt is facing life-threatening injuries.

Both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

According to the South Dakota Department of Corrections, Kotalik was driving to his job as a Corrections Lieutenant at the Mike Durfee State Prison.

"We honor Lt. Kotalik by shrouding our badges through the eve of his final resting," a social post by the DOC said.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash.