Milana Reeves,Eric Hopkins Obituary – A teenager from Sioux Falls has been taken into custody following a fatal crash that resulted in the deaths of two 15-year-olds last month. The arrest warrant includes charges of First-Degree Manslaughter, Second-Degree Manslaughter, Vehicular Homicide, Vehicular Battery, Reckless Driving, and additional misdemeanor charges.
The bond for the warrant has been set at $50,000 in cash. The suspect, identified as 17-year-old Damion Laurelez, was apprehended on the 1800 block of E. 6th Street shortly before 3 p.m. Due to the severity of the charges, authorities have released the suspect’s name. Witnesses and surveillance cameras have confirmed that he was the driver at the time of the incident. Investigators have determined that the car was traveling at a minimum speed of 73 to 78 miles per hour on the day of the crash.
The extent of the damage to the vehicle has made it challenging to ascertain if any components were malfunctioning prior to the accident. According to police spokesperson Sam Clemens, the teenagers had attended a house party at Damion’s residence on the 1800 block of E. 6th Street, left to get food at a restaurant, and were returning to the party when the crash occurred.
The vehicle involved in the crash was borrowed by Damion from someone at the party. Detectives have determined the seating arrangement within the vehicle, revealing that some occupants were not wearing seatbelts, while others were only using lap belts. The collision took place at 6:08 a.m. on April 27 at the intersection of East 18th Street and South 2nd Avenue. A Dodge Durango SUV traveling east lost control, colliding with a tree and a house on the northeast corner.
At the scene of the accident, seven teens were initially found, but it was later revealed by the Sioux Falls Police that an eighth teen had fled the scene. The two teenagers who tragically lost their lives were identified as 15-year-old Milana Reeves and 15-year-old Eric Hopkins, both from Sioux Falls. Additionally, five other juveniles, aged 13, 14, 15, 17, and 17, were transported to nearby hospitals
