South Dakota officials have released a little more information today (Nov. 2) about the ongoing investigation into the crash involving Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg and Joseph Boever the night of Sept. 12, 2020, on Highway 14 west of Highmore.
Department of Public Safety Secretary Craig Price says Ravnsborg was distracted at the time of the accident.
Audio PlayerPrice says once the remaining pieces of the incident report are complete, they will be turned over to the prosecutor.
Audio PlayerHow Hyde County sheriff Mike Volek initially handled the accident has been called into question, with some saying he treated Ravnsborg more favorably than he would an average citizen. Volek let Ravnsborg borrow one of his personal vehicles to drive back to Pierre. Price says law enforcement agencies have discretion over how they handle various situations.
Audio PlayerSouth Dakota’s Attorney General is elected, not appointed so Governor Kristi Noem has no authority over that agency, but she says she has not asked Ravnsborg to resign.
Audio PlayerPrice says they’re waiting on the final autopsy report and toxicology reports.
Boever’s body was found in the ditch the morning of Sept. 13, 2020, when Ravnsborg went back to Highmore to return Volek’s personal vehicle.
Ravnsborg’s car. Note: This photograph does not depict the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Ravnsborg vehicle after Boever fatal accident.
***NOTE: This photograph does not depict the vehicle at the time of the crash.
Photo credit South Dakota Department of Public Safety
Link to Ravnsborg-Boever state crash report in PDF format: Ravnsborg-Boever State Crash Report 110220
Ravnsborg-Boever state crash report in JPEG format:
Below are items released Oct. 13, 2020:
- a recording of the actual 911 call South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg made after hitting something on the road the night of Sept. 12, 2020, while returning to Pierre after attending a Lincoln Day Dinner in Redfield
- a transcription of the call
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