Last Sunday, an ATV accident one mile east of Garretson took the life of 16-year-old Garretson High School student Alivia Christensen and sent another person, 30-year-old Mark Pierret, to the hospital in critical condition.
At 6:55 p.m., the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office responded to a single vehicle accident on 487th Avenue, south of 253rd Street. A 2022 Polaris ATV with two occupants was traveling northbound on 487th Avenue when it entered the ditch, causing it to roll.
Christensen was pronounced deceased at the scene of the accident. Pierret was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.
The Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, The South Dakota Highway Patrol, Garretson Ambulance, Garretson Fire and Rescue, and MedStar Ambulance assisted with this incident. The accident is being investigated by the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
On Monday, Superintendent Guy Johnson of the Garretson School District released a statement, saying, "We know her loss will be felt by many in the community."
After letting those affected know that counselors were available to those who needed it, they continued, "The strength in our community lies in our willingness and ability to support one another in difficult times. Please pass the word that counselors are available if you know that someone is struggling with this loss."
Christensen was described by her sister, Chloe, as a person full of life, with a contagious smile. She loved volleyball and wrestling.
On a GoFundMe for the family, Chloe wrote, "She was such a vibrant and free spirit that will always be missed. Alivia was a wonderful person who was taken from all of us way too early."
Alivia's GoFundMe can be found at https://gofund.me/f3b5f1cd. Mark's Caring Bridge can be found at https://www.caringbridge.org/site/2159636c-4932-11ef-9749-0192a4e9a21a
As of press time, all information was still preliminary.
UPDATE 7/25/24: Information was added about the second occupant.
