Elk Point teen dies in crash

Ashley Zeller, 16, of Elk Point, died Friday, Sept. 7, in a one-vehicle accident on 480th Ave., three miles southeast of Elk Point.

Zeller and Molly Hammitt, 17, were passengers in a 1998 Oldsmobile Cutlass driven by Devan Penfield, 16, of Elk Point.

The car was northbound on 480th Avenue The driver lost control of the vehicle on the gravel road. The vehicle went into the east road ditch and rolled. Zeller was ejected from the vehicle.�Perfield and Hammitt received nonlife-threatening injuries.

Preliminary indications reveal speed was a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation by the South Dakota Highway Patrol, with assistance from the Union County Sheriff's Department. �

Hammitt was buckled up at the time of the accident, but neither Zeller or Penfield were using seat belts.