Chandler Bakley and Reed Harter Die in Martin, SD Car Accident; Dakota Wesleyan Baseball Mourns

MARTIN SD, The communities of Martin, Colome, Ethan, and the broader Dakota Wesleyan University family are united in grief following a heartbreaking tragedy that claimed the lives of two Dakota Wesleyan University alumni, Reed Harter and Chandler Bakley, after a devastating multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 90 in South Dakota.

According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, the fatal incident occurred Friday afternoon and involved five vehicles. Four friends were traveling together when the crash happened, resulting in the loss of two young lives and leaving families, friends, colleagues, and former teammates struggling to comprehend the enormity of the loss.

Reed Harter, 28, was a respected educator, coach, and mentor whose life was defined by service, leadership, and dedication to young people. A native of Colome, South Dakota, he graduated from Colome High School in 2016 before attending Dakota Wesleyan University, where he earned a degree in History Education in 2020.

During his time at DWU, Harter was a cornerstone of the Tigers baseball program, playing five seasons as the team’s starting second baseman. He earned multiple All-GPAC honors and was widely admired for his discipline, sportsmanship, and leadership on and off the field.

After graduating, Harter began teaching at the Ethan School District in 2021, where he taught social sciences and quickly became an integral part of the school community. He also devoted countless hours to coaching, serving as a junior high basketball coach, assistant boys varsity basketball coach, and assistant football coach for three years.

Ethan School District Superintendent Tim Hawkins released a statement acknowledging the profound loss, describing Harter as a valued member of the community whose dedication to students, kindness, and willingness to serve left a lasting impact. Counseling and support services were made available, and a scheduled Ethan girls basketball game was canceled in his honor.

The second victim of the crash was Chandler Bakley, a 2020 graduate of Dakota Wesleyan University. Bakley worked as a lineman for Central Electric Cooperative and was known for his strong work ethic, dependability, and pride in his profession. His passing represents the loss of a dedicated professional, as well as a son, friend, and valued community member.

Dakota Wesleyan University President Dan Kittle addressed the campus, confirming that four friends were traveling together at the time of the crash and expressing deep sorrow over the loss of two alumni. He extended condolences to the families and all those affected by the tragedy.

As news of the crash spread, tributes poured in from former classmates, athletes, educators, and community members, all reflecting on the character, kindness, and promise that Reed Harter and Chandler Bakley carried throughout their lives.

Though their lives were tragically cut short, their legacies endure through the students Reed inspired, the athletes he coached, the teammates both men supported, and the communities they served. As families grieve privately, they are surrounded by an outpouring of support from schools, universities, and towns forever changed by this loss.

Reed Harter and Chandler Bakley are being remembered for how they lived—with purpose, generosity, and heart—and for the lasting impact they made on those around them.