One airlifted to Sioux Falls following crash

Driver facing multiple charges; three injured

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BROOKINGS – One person was airlifted to Sioux Falls and one driver is facing multiple charges after an accident Saturday morning, according to the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.

Amy Charging, 18, of Aurora, is facing charges of a stop sign violation, DUI, vehicular battery, zero tolerance, possession of a controlled substance, ingestion of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and a seat belt violation, Assistant Sheriff Scott Sebring said.

Passenger Xavier Nygard, 19, of Brookings, was airlifted to Sioux Falls, he added.

The accident was reported at 5:35 a.m. Saturday and occurred at the intersection of Highway 14 and 478th Avenue, south of Bushnell, Sebring said.

It was found that the 2009 Chevy Malibu driven by 18-year-old Amy Charging was traveling south on 478thAvenue and did not stop for the stop sign at the intersection of Highway 14. The Chevy Malibu then collided with a 2019 International straight truck driven by 43-year-old Dienye Andrew-Jaja (from Shakopee, Minnesota),” Sebring said.

Nygard was a passenger in Charging’s vehicle, according to the report.

“Amy Charging was transported to the Brookings Hospital by ambulance and later transported by ambulance to a Sioux Falls Hospital with unknown injuries. (Nygard) was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital with unknown injuries,” Sebring said. “Dienye Andrew-Jaja was transported by ambulance to the Brookings Hospital with unknown injuries.”

Andrew-Jaja and Nygard were both wearing seat belts, according to Sebring.

Both the Malibu and truck were total losses, he said.

Also responding were the Aurora Fire Department and Brookings Ambulance.

The accident is under investigation with the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.