According to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Department, a Sioux Falls man faces vehicular homicide charges following an alcohol-related single-vehicle crash that left his wife dead.

The accident happened last Sunday as the man was headed west on his motorcycle with his wife riding passenger along 268th Street toward 481st Avenue near Iowa’s Gitchie Manitou State Park. He rounded a bend too sharply and lost control of the motorcycle, throwing both of them from the bike.

Police report that both the man and his wife were responsive when emergency personnel arrived around 7 p.m., but the woman passed out shortly after. She died later that night at Avera McKennan Hospital.

While police have not released the results of a blood-alcohol level test, it is known that alcohol was involved in the accident. Randy Sample, Deputy State’s Attorney, says that investigation is still ongoing as to whether or not the driver will be charged with vehicular homicide.

“Normally, for vehicular homicide, you need two things: You need to be intoxicated, and you need to be involved in a negligent act,” Sample said.

Neither the man nor his wife were wearing helmets. The driver remains hospitalized at Avera McKennan Hospital with serious injuries.

This accident could likely have been avoided if the driver had not been drinking. If you or someone you love has been injured by a drunk driver or been involved in a drunk driving accident, call the Iowa drunk driving accident lawyers of LaMarca & Landry, P.C., at 877-327-2600 to discuss your legal options.