In the early morning hours of October 21, a tragic collision on Interstate 90, just two miles west of Rapid City, led to the death of 43-year-old Brandon Lee Ice of Rapid City and left 43-year-old Jason Emsley Nisen of Box Elder fighting for his life. According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, Ice’s westbound vehicle crossed the median and collided head-on with Nisen’s eastbound truck.
It was approximately 7:30 a.m. when the westbound 2019 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Ice veered across the median at mile marker 54 and struck a 2022 International truck-tractor driven by Nisen. The highway patrol’s initial report confirms that both drivers were wearing seat belts. Responding emergency crews found Ice fatally wounded at the scene; Nisen was rushed to a Rapid City hospital in life-threatening condition.
As the investigation continues, officials have not disclosed what caused the Silverado to cross into oncoming traffic. Weather and road conditions at the time were not detailed in the initial release. The eastbound lanes of I-90 were closed until approximately 10:15 a.m. while emergency teams cleared the wreckage and assisted with traffic control.
The severity of the crash and the early hour have prompted serious questions from the local community. Many are left wondering if distraction, fatigue or sudden medical issues could have played a role. For Nisen’s family and loved ones, the update that he remains hospitalized in critical condition offers only a partial sense of relief amid the uncertainty.
Friends and neighbors of Ice describe him as a devoted father and loyal friend—someone always willing to lend a hand in the tight-knit Rapid City community. His sudden passing has sent waves of grief through the area, prompting an outpouring of condolences and prayers for his family. Meanwhile, Box Elder residents are anxiously awaiting further updates on Nisen’s condition and hoping for a recovery.
The Department of Public Safety and the highway patrol have emphasized that all information released thus far is preliminary and that the crash remains under investigation. No additional details about contributing factors have been made public yet.
This tragic crash serves as a stark reminder of how swiftly life can change on our highways—and how fragile safety becomes when a vehicle drifts across into opposing lanes. As the community mourns one loss and stands with another fighting for survival, the hope is that lessons will be learned and that safety measures may prevent another such heartbreak on South Dakota roadways.
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