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Egon Lake

Age : 26

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 04/14/2026

Location : Lazelle Street near Junction Avenue

City : Sturgis

County : Meade

State : South Carolina

Agency : Sturgis Police Department

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Vehicle

Event : Bystander killed by police chase crash

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 04/14/2026, officers with the Sturgis Police Department responded to a report of a stolen Ford F-250 at a residence in Sturgis. Police located the truck around 10:39 a.m. and attempted to stop it. Police said the driver, Don Crisafulli, did not stop and officers escalated a chase westbound on Lazelle Street at speeds estimated above 70 mph.

According to investigators, the stolen truck was driven recklessly and passed multiple vehicles before crashing into a white Honda Accord near Lazelle Street and Junction Avenue. The Honda driver, later identified as Egon Lake, 26, of Whitewood, suffered fatal injuries.

The driver of the stolen truck, Don Crisafulli, 50, of Sturgis, was trapped in the wreckage and airlifted with critical injuries. Later reporting stated he survived and was improving. Authorities said charges were pending against Crisafulli.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol investigated the crash while Sturgis police handled the criminal investigation related to the stolen vehicle pursuit. Sturgis Police Chief Geody VanDewater later stated the pursuit lasted less than one minute before the collision occurred.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.kotatv.com/2026/04/14/1-dead-1-critical-after-stolen-truck-pursuit-ends-crash-sturgis-police-say/
https://www.kotatv.com/2026/04/16/sturgis-police-release-names-fatal-crash-following-stolen-vehicle-pursuit/
https://www.kotaradio.com/2026/04/20/sturgis-police-release-details-of-pursuit-that-ends-in-fatal-crash/
https://rapidcityjournal.com/news/local/crime-courts/article_10ea81da-b8c3-4472-8740-cc56f212beac.html