Community reaches out after Spearfish 23-year-old found dead - KOTA Territory News
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We have new information on Saturday's tragedy involving the death of a 23-year-old Spearfish man.
Law enforcement officers remain tight-lipped as they investigate, but KOTA-TV has learned the victim's name, and the community is already coming together to give his family support.
It was a frigid Friday night rolling into Saturday morning in Lawrence County, with wind chills dipping to 20 degrees below zero and lower.
Twenty-three-year-old Jerry Krejci, just shy of his 24th birthday, slid off the road in his car on a private road northwest of Spearfish.
The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office has released few other details, but we do know after ending up in a ditch, the wheelchair-bound Krejci left his car and started to crawl for help.
He was found dead a short distance from his vehicle by a snow plow operator Saturday morning.
In the hours since the tragedy, the community is reaching out.
A Facebook event titled "In Memory of Jerald Anthony Krejci" announces a candle-light vigil next Sunday, Jan. 20, at the Spearfish City Park.
Dozens have signed up to light a candle for him, and have left heartfelt messages for family and friends.
"We're gonna miss you and will always be thinking of you," one post reads.
"...he was such a great guy," reads another.
And for those unable to attend the memorial, a plea to light a candle for Jerry, wherever you may be.
The Lawrence County Sheriff's Office has not identified a time or cause of death, but will continue its investigation in the coming days.
And with that tragedy in mind, the Spearfish Police Department offers some tips if you should ever find yourself stuck off the road:
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518 St. Joseph St.
Telephone: 605.342.2000 
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