During a late Friday afternoon (March 12, 2021) court hearing at the Hughes County Courthouse in Pierre, South Dakota’s Attorney General pleaded not guilty to three misdemeanor charges related to his striking and killing a man with his car in September (2020).
Jason Ravnsborg’s lawyer, Tim Rensch, entered the plea on his behalf. He is charged with:
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Count 1: Operating a Motor Vehicle While Using a Mobile Electronic Device
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Count 2: Lane Driving in Violation of South Dakota Codified Law
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Count 3: Careless Driving
Ravnsborg killed 55 year old Joseph Boever from Highmore as Boever walked along the side of the highway just west of Highmore. Ravnsborg called 911 immediately after the collision not knowing what he’d hit. He found Boever’s body in the ditch the next morning.
Hyde County Deputy State’s Attorney Emily Sovell said Count 1 comes from Ravnsborg’s behavior while driving east of Highmore, prior to the accident. Counts 2 and 3 are directly connected to Boever’s death.
Articles of Impeachment had been filed against Ravnsborg, but last week (March 8, 2021) members of the South Dakota House of Representatives voted to put the process on hold until completion of the criminal court case.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, some state lawmakers and at least three organizations representing state law enforcement agencies have said Ravnsborg should resign, but he has so far refused to do so.
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