SPEARFISH - A semitrailer making a U-turn in the fog on was hit by two pickups, three cars and a motorcycle on U.S. Highway 85 near Spearfish on Thursday morning, injuring five people.

None had life-threatening injuries, according to a report from the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

The accident happened about 21/2 miles south of Interstate 90's Exit 17.

The driver of the semi, Jimmy Crossland, 48, of Box Elder, was arrested on charges of reckless driving and illegal U-turn and taken to the Lawrence County Jail, according to Lawrence County Sheriff's Deputy Marty Goetsch. Crossland was released on bond. A court date was not available at news deadline.

The accident happened at about 7:30 a.m. when Crossland, who was pulling two trailers, attempted to make a U-turn on the highway, Goetsch said.

Crossland was southbound, hauling hot oil used to make hot-mix asphalt. Because of heavy fog, he missed the turn to Hills Materials at Centennial Quarry.

While attempting the U-turn, Crossland's truck was hit by vehicles traveling in both directions.

One vehicle, a northbound 2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue driven by Kathie Klickman of Spearfish, went under the trailer, came out on the other side and stopped in the east ditch. Klickman, 54, was taken to Spearfish Regional Hospital.

Other drivers included Casey Davis, 23, of Spearfish, driving a 2002 Dodge pickup, who was taken to Spearfish Regional Hospital.

Twenty-seven-year-old Casey Crowley of St. Onge, driving 2006 Chevy pickup, was taken to Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital. Crowley had two passengers, Dylan Coleburg, 22, of Whitewood, and Matthew Johnson, 27, of Spearfish.

Jeremy Huntington, 27, of Lead, driving a 1996 Olds Aurora, was taken to Spearfish Regional Hospital.

Gary Rogers, 63, of Central City, was riding a 2000 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. He was not hospitalized.

And the seventh driver, 50-year-old Robert Warren of Paedeeville, Wis., driving a 2006 Nissan Altima, was taken to Lead-Deadwood Regional Hospital. His passenger, 45-year-old Robin Warren, was not hospitalized.

Rescue crews from Spearfish Police Department, Lawrence County Sheriff's Office, Spearfish and Lead-Deadwood fire departments, and Spearfish and Lead-Deadwood ambulance services responded and were assisted by personnel from U.S. Forest Service, South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, and the South Dakota Department of Transportation, many of whom helped with traffic control.

Southbound traffic was diverted to Crook City Road, and the north side of Highway 85 was closed outside of Deadwood, rerouting traffic through Boulder Canyon until about 10:30 a.m., according to Goetsch.

Sunshine Towing and Kinghorn Towing, both of Spearfish, used four tow trucks to remove the vehicles, temporarily leaving some at the quarry parking lot to expedite clearing the highway.

Sunshine Towing owner Bob Ewing said, "This is the type of wreck you see in the big cities, not in South Dakota."

Goetsch agreed, adding: "The double wall of the insulated trailer was one of the saving graces. If that trailer had burst, it would have been a much different story."

Goetsch said employees of Hills Materials quickly arrived at the scene with amber lights to help with traffic control before law enforcement arrived.

"A big thank-you to them for that," Goetsch said.

According to the National Weather Service, the fog was the result of "an outflow of moist air from thunderstorms that had moved out of the area earlier in the morning."

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is continuing the investigation, and Goetsch will handle the accident reconstruction.

Contact Jan Kaus at 642-8822, ext. 11, or jan.kaus@lawrencecountyjournal.com