Eric James Hopkins,Milana Marie Reeves Obituary, Deadly Sioux Falls crash could lead to charges from Minnehaha County State Attorney’s Office

Eric James Hopkins,Milana Marie Reeves Obituary – The Minnehaha County State’s Attorney’s Office is currently considering whether to pursue charges in a fatal accident that resulted in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to five minors over the weekend, as reported by the Sioux Falls Police Department.

Authorities from the Sioux Falls Police Department have indicated that excessive speed was a significant contributing factor in the tragic collision. While the incident remains under investigation, Lieutenant Andrew Siebenborn informed the media during a police briefing on Monday morning that the five individuals who were hospitalized are in serious to critical condition, but are currently stable. He expressed confidence that the number of fatalities will not rise further.

The crash occurred at 6:08 a.m. on Saturday at the intersection of E. 18th Street and S. 2nd Avenue. According to a press release from the department, a Dodge Durango SUV traveling east lost control and crashed into a tree and a house on the northwest corner of the intersection.

The two individuals who lost their lives have been identified as Eric James Hopkins, 15, and Milana Marie Reeves, 15, as confirmed by Siebenborn. While the names of the injured parties were not disclosed, they included a 13-year-old, a 14-year-old, a 15-year-old, and two 17-year-olds.

Siebenborn reflected on the severity of the incident, stating, “I’ve been in this profession for 17-18 years, and I cannot recall a more catastrophic accident than this one. It was a very, very serious scene, and it is truly tragic that we lost two lives. However, it is also a miracle that we did not have seven fatalities considering the condition of the vehicle.”

A GoFundMe campaign has been initiated for both Reeves and Hopkins, and a candlelight vigil was held in memory of the victims at the crash site on Saturday evening. Joseph Hopkins, Eric’s father, attended the vigil and shared his thoughts on his son’s passing with various media outlets. “Milana was a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend to many,” the GoFundMe page reads. “Her light will continue to shine through those who cherished her deeply.” “Let us come together and raise sufficient funds to honor his memory.”