ASSOCIATED PRESS (AP) and DRG Media Group News— The South Dakota Supreme Court agrees with a lower court ruling that two people on a motorcycle who were severely injured in a crash with a volunteer firefighting trainee cannot collect damages from the city of Pierre and its fire department.
Lisa Tammen and Randall Jurgens were badly hurt and had their left legs amputated above the knees as the result of the August 1, 2016, crash in rural Hughes County.
Gerrit Tronvold was heading to a monthly meeting at the fire station when, according to court documents, he failed to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Grey Goose Road and South Dakota Highway 1804. He crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic where a motorcycle carrying Jurgens and Tammen crashed into the side of his pickup.
The circuit court found that the city and the fire department weren’t liable for Tronvold’s actions because he wasn’t acting within the scope of his employment.
The South Dakota Supreme Court heard arguments in the case during its October 2020 session. It’s decision was released yesterday (Sept. 23, 2021).
Comments