South Dakota Highway Patrol accident reconstructionists provide details of Ravnsborg-Boever accident investigation to legislators

South Dakota legislators had the opportunity today (April 6, 2022) to hear two South Dakota Highway Patrol troopers present evidence and analysis of the investigation into state Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s fatal crash with pedestrian Joe Boever in Sept. 2020.

The House Select Committee on Investigations looking into Ravnsborg’s possible impeachment had a chance to hear the same report, but Sgt. Kevin Kinney says the committee declined.

Representative Will Mortenson of Pierre, who is an attorney, inquired about the extent of the investigation. His question was answered by Trooper John Berndt.

Sgt. Kinney supplied additional information for Mortenson.

Berndt and Kinney are both accident reconstructionists for the highway patrol.

Mortenson also asked about the position of Ravnsborg’s vehicle at the time of the accident.

Berndt said the evidence shows the accident threw Boever into Ravnsborg’s windshield, then onto the hood, then off the vehicle.

State representatives meet Tuesday (April 12, 2022) to vote on whether or not to impeach Ravnsborg. The special committee looking into the situation recommended NOT impeaching Ravnsborg by a vote of 6-2, with the republicans voting against and the two democrats voting to impeach. However, any legislator can move to impeach the attorney general. If the House does vote to impeach, state senators would ultimately decide if Ravnsborg is stripped of his office.

The DPS report can be found here: https://dps.sd.gov/application/files/7516/4908/2205/SDHP_Report_Redacted.pdf.

Listen to the audio of the presentation in this DRG Media Group Beyond the Mic podcast.