Brown County, S.D. – A tragic incident unfolded on the afternoon of Thursday, May 1, 2025, when a single-vehicle crash involving a Farmall tractor claimed the life of a 74-year-old man from Aberdeen, South Dakota. The crash occurred at approximately 2:42 p.m. along 39135 138th Street, about six miles southeast of Aberdeen in rural Brown County.
According to preliminary information released by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, the man was operating a Farmall tractor equipped with a belly mower and was mowing a steep ditch alongside the rural roadway when the vehicle overturned. The slope and terrain of the ditch appear to have contributed to the rollover. Tragically, the driver, who was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the incident, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
The name of the deceased is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
This incident highlights the risks associated with rural and agricultural machinery, particularly on uneven or sloped terrain. Tractors, though essential to farm operations, can become dangerous when operated in precarious conditions. The absence of a seat belt is believed to have exacerbated the severity of the outcome, although a full investigation is still underway to determine the exact cause and contributing factors.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash. Officials emphasize that all currently available information is preliminary and subject to change as the investigation progresses.
As the community mourns the loss of one of its members, local authorities urge operators of agricultural vehicles to observe all safety precautions, especially when working on slopes or near roadways.
Further updates will be provided as more details become available.