RAPID CITY, S.D. – A high-speed pursuit of a felony warrant suspect ended in a four-vehicle crash that sent five people to the hospital on Saturday afternoon, according to the Rapid City Police Department.
At approximately 3:15pm, officers identified 21-year-old Airenlee Richmond operating a Dodge Magnum in a parking lot at 1516 E. Saint Patrick Street, Family Fare. Police records indicated Richmond was wanted on felony warrants related to firearm and drug offenses.
When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, Richmond reportedly fled the parking lot, heading westbound on E. Saint Patrick Street at a high rate of speed. Authorities stated they were in the process of terminating the pursuit for safety reasons when the suspect vehicle entered the intersection at E. Saint Joseph Street.
The Dodge Magnum struck three other vehicles: a southbound Ford pickup truck, a southbound Subaru SUV, and an eastbound Ford SUV.
Emergency responders transported five to the hospital following the collision. Among those injured were three occupants of the suspect vehicle, one occupant of the Ford pickup, and one occupant of the Ford SUV.
As of the latest update from law enforcement, four of the five individuals are listed in stable condition. One occupant from the suspect vehicle remains in critical condition.
During a subsequent search of the Dodge Magnum, investigators located methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is assisting the Rapid City Police Department with the crash reconstruction and investigation. Richmond’s existing felony warrant offenses remain under investigation as well.
