How a Dodge Ram Left Interstate 90 and Fell Onto Rowley Street, Claiming Shane and Melynda Willis
Shane Willis, 34, and Melynda Willis, 38, of Pierre died Wednesday after their truck left I-90 in Mitchell fell; two infants survived with injuries
Pierre is mourning Shane Willis, 34, and Melynda Willis, 38, after the married couple died Wednesday in a violent crash on Interstate 90 near Mitchell. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety confirmed their names Thursday, turning a preliminary highway report into a painful loss for family and friends across central South Dakota. The couple leaves behind two very young children who survived the wreck.
Investigators say Shane was driving a 2018 Dodge Ram eastbound on I-90 between the two Mitchell exits when something went wrong in the early evening. The truck drifted off the roadway, entered the south ditch, and struck a guard cable near the bridge that carries the interstate over Rowley Street. Troopers are still working to understand why the vehicle left the travel lanes on a straight stretch of highway.
The impact with the cable did not stop the truck. Authorities say the Ram continued forward, broke through the roadside barrier, and fell from the interstate onto Rowley Street below. The pickup hit a concrete retaining wall and came to rest on its side, a scene that drew a rapid response from Mitchell police, fire, and ambulance crews who closed the area to traffic.
Inside the truck were two infant passengers, both hurt in the crash but alive. The Highway Patrol confirmed that all four occupants were wearing seat belts, a factor troopers say likely prevented even greater tragedy. Child passenger safety experts note that proper restraints and correctly installed rear-facing car seats are critical in rollover and fall crashes, especially for children under two.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is leading the investigation, documenting skid marks, vehicle damage, and the condition of the guard cable and bridge rail. Preliminary findings point to a single-vehicle incident, with no other cars involved. Toxicology results and a mechanical inspection of the Dodge Ram are part of the standard review, and officials have not released a cause.
For those who knew Shane and Melynda in Pierre, the news has been devastating. Friends describe the couple as devoted parents who balanced work and family life with quiet dedication. Community members have begun organizing meals, childcare help, and fundraisers for the infants' medical care and long-term needs, reflecting the close ties that define South Dakota's capital city.
The stretch of I-90 through Davison County carries thousands of vehicles daily, linking Rapid City to Sioux Falls. Guard cables are designed to redirect vehicles and reduce crossover crashes, but steep drop-offs near bridges create unique risks. Engineers regularly inspect these systems, and every serious crash prompts a review of barrier performance, signage, and roadway drainage in the area.
As the investigation continues, troopers urge drivers to slow down, avoid distractions, and ensure every child is in the right seat for their age and size. The loss of Shane and Melynda Willis is a stark reminder of how quickly a routine drive can change. Honoring their memory means supporting their children and committing to the simple habits that save lives on South Dakota highways.