SLAYTON — The family of a South Dakota man killed in a vehicle collision last year is suing the owner of the other vehicle that involved in the crash, Murray County court records said.

In court documents, the next-of-kin of Kyle Ray Thompson of Huron and Alexander Bretsch, of Frederick, S.D., each claim that the other driver was driving negligently at the time of the crash. Both families are seeking damages in excess of $50,000.

Thompson and Bretsch were killed in a two-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 59 near Avoca in May 2021.

A pre-trial hearing and trial dates for a wrongful death lawsuit are scheduled for April 2023, court records said.

A civil complaint filed in Murray County in January claims that Randall Bretsch, a Frederick, S.D. resident who owned a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado involved in the crash, was negligent in entrusting the vehicle to driver Alexander Bretsch.

Alexander Bretsch was operating the Silverado on Highway 59, about half a mile north of the city of Avoca, in May 2021, the lawsuit said. The lawsuit alleges Bretsch’s vehicle went across the center lines and into oncoming traffic, crashing head-on into Thompson’s vehicle. Both men died.

The lawsuit claims that Alexander Bretsch was also negligent in the crash, due to speeding and distracted driving.

Attorneys for Randall Bretsch filed an answer to the lawsuit in February. The answer admits Alexander Bretsch was driving the Silverado, but denies that he was speeding or driving negligently.

It also alleges it was Thompson who was driving in the wrong lane at the time of the crash. The answer also alleges Thompson was operating his vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .314.

Randall Bretsch is asking for the plaintiff’s claims to be dismissed in the case, as well as damages greater than $50,000.

A jury trial date in the case was set for April 20 of next year.