South Dakota AG charged with three misdemeanors over crash that killed pedestrian



South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg (R) has been charged with three misdemeanors stemming from a fatal accident that occurred five months ago, when he struck and killed a pedestrian with his vehicle on a highway late at night.

What are the details?

On Sept. 12, Ravnsborg was driving home from a political event when he ran into 55-year-old Joseph Boever. The attorney general called 911 at around 10:30 p.m. to report that he "hit something" that "was in the middle of the road."

According to the call transcript, a dispatcher asked Ravsnborg, "Do you think it was a deer or something?" to which he replied, "I have no idea. Yeah, it could be, I mean it was right in the roadway..."

Ravnsborg returned to the scene of the accident the next morning along with authorities, when Boever's body was discovered. The attorney general put out a statement that night saying he was "shocked and filled with sorrow" over the incident, and that was "fully cooperating with the investigation."

The Argus Leader reported that Thursday, Ravnsborg was charged with three misdemeanors in connection with the crash: operating a vehicle while using a mobile or electronic device, a lane driving violation for driving outside of his lane, and careless driving. The announcement was made by Hyde County deputy state's attorney Emily Sovell.

If convicted, Ravnsborg could face up to 30 days in jail and fines of $500 for each offense, but he was spared from being charged in connection with Boever's death.

Prosecutors said the facts in the case simply did not warrant manslaughter or vehicular homicide charges over the incident, given that there was no evidence that Ravnsborg was under the influence, and that driving outside one's lane does not meet the legal definition of "reckless."

Beadle County State's Attorney Michael Moore explained to reporters, "Recklessness is an extremely high burden for us to establish and in this case we don't have it. I don't feel good about it but it's the right decision."

A spokesman for Ravnsborg told the Rapid City Journal that the attorney general does not plan to resign, and will not speak with the media until he has had a chance to review the charging documents and evidence.

Meanwhile, Boever's family members have been highly critical of authorities over how long the investigation has taken. Boever's widow, Jenny Boever, plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against Ravnsborg over her husband's death.

Following the news of charges against the attorney general, Gov. Noem tweeted, "My heart goes out to Joseph Boever's family. I am not going to comment on the specifics of Ms. Sovell's decision. I am directing the Department of Public Safety to share additional details of the investigation with the public within the next week."

My heart goes out to Joseph Boever’s family. I am not going to comment on the specifics of Ms. Sovell’s decision. I… https://t.co/PeuE3W132t
— Governor Kristi Noem (@Governor Kristi Noem)1613680083.0


South Dakota AG 'shocked' to learn he fatally struck man with his car after reporting he hit a deer



South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg (R) called to report that he hit a deer with his vehicle Saturday night on his way home from a political event, but authorities say he actually struck and killed a man rather than an animal.

Ravnsborg says he is "shocked and filled with sorrow" about the discovery.

What are the details?

The South Dakota Department of Public Safety reported that Ravnsborg, 44, told the Hyde County Sheriff's Office that he hit a deer on U.S. Highway 14 with his Ford Taurus at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday night. The next morning, the body of Joseph Boever, 55, was discovered near the crash site. Boever had been fatally hit by a vehicle.

Boever's cousins told the Rapid City Journal that the man had crashed his own truck earlier on Saturday, and that he must have been returning to the vehicle on foot that night when he was hit.

Tim Bormann, a spokesman for Ravnsborg, said the crash occurred Saturday night while attorney general had been on his way home after attending the Spink County Lincoln Day Dinner, which was held at Rooster's Bar and Grill from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Ravnsborg was not injured in the crash.

Bormann said that Ravnsborg "drinks lightly," but that the attorney general had not been drinking on the evening of the crash.

During a news conference Sunday afternoon, Gov. Kristi Noem (R) revealed that Ravnsborg had been involved in a fatal crash on Highway 14 near the town of Highmore, the Rapid City Journal noted.

What did the AG say?

In a statement released Sunday night, Ravnsborg said:

"I am shocked and filled with sorrow following the events of last night. As Governor Noem stated, I am fully cooperating with the investigation and I fully intend to continue to do so moving forward. At this time I offer my deepest sympathy and condolences to the family."

According to CBS News, "Ravnsborg has received six traffic tickets for speeding in South Dakota over the last six years. He also received tickets for a seat belt violation and for driving a vehicle without a proper exhaust and muffler system."

USA Today reported:

Tony Mangan, spokesperson for the Highway Patrol, said at the direction of the governor, the Highway Patrol is leading the investigation. The attorney general's office said investigators from North Dakota are also in South Dakota and assisting in the crash investigation due to the conflict created by Ravnsborg's role overseeing the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation.