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The Latest News about South Dakota Car and Truck Accidents

ZDC Law is committed to keeping you up-to-date on news regarding car accidents and accident cases around the state of South Dakota. Check back for updates.

Auto Accident

• Driver Flees Five-Vehicle Crash in Rapid City, Alcohol & Speed Factors
  Feb 05, 2012

  Before 2 p.m. on Sunday, January 15, 2012, a 1979 Monte Carlo crashed into a line of vehicles that had stopped at a red light at the intersection of Haines Avenue and Disk Drive, in Rapid City, South Dakota, shutting down the intersection until approximately 5:45 p.m. While traveling northbound on Haines Avenue, the Monte Carlo rear ended a stopped 2003 Toyota Sequoia, which then crashed into a 2008 Ford Focus that was traveling eastbound on Disk Drive and a 2009 Jeep Liberty stopped at a red light facing south on Haines Avenue. The Toyota Sequoia also struck a 2004 Subaru Forester head-on that had stopped at the light and was also facing south on Haines Avenue.
  
  According to Lieutenant James Johns of the Rapid City Police Department, the driver of the Monte Carlo fled the scene on foot. The police are still looking for the driver and believe the driver to be 24 year old Seth Dismounts Thrice. Two passengers in the Monte Carlo, Telano War Bonnett, 21, and Rudolph Gabe, 28, both of Rapid City, suffered life-threatening injuries and were transported to Rapid City Regional Hospital. The driver of the Toyota Sequoia, Katrina Wagner, 36, of Rapid City, also suffered injuries and was taken to the hospital. All other drivers and passengers were treated at the scene. Based on the seriousness of the multi-vehicle crash, police believe Thrice also suffered serious injuries.
  
  Police believe that alcohol and speed contributed to this crash; the motor vehicle accident remains under investigation.
  
  Call the South Dakota car accident lawyers at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole if you have been involved in a motor vehicle crash. Call our offices toll free at (888) 733-2992.
  

• I-90 South Dakota SUV Crash Claims Life of One and Injures Two
  Feb 04, 2012

  On Wednesday, January 11, 2012, a fatal motor vehicle accident occurred on Interstate 90, approximately 1.5 miles west of Kimball, South Dakota. According to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety, the driver, Gregory D. King, 57, of Chamberlain, died when his 2002 Ford Explorer went out of control while he was traveling eastbound on I-90. King’s Explorer crossed over the median into the westbound lanes and crashed into a 2003 Ford Explorer.
  
  King had a passenger with him in the vehicle, Patty-Ann King, 56, of Chamberlain, who was seriously injured in the motor vehicle accident. The driver of the 2003 Ford Explorer, Gary L. Rathke, 60, of Rapid City, also suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries in the motor vehicle wreck. Patty-Ann King and Rathke were taken to a local Chamberlain hospital for treatment; however, Gregory D. King died at the scene.
  
  All three individuals involved in this fatal crash were wearing seatbelts.
  
  We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gregory D. King who were impacted by this tragic motor vehicle crash. Our thoughts for a full recovery also go out to Patty-Ann King and Gary L. Rathke.
  
  If you or a loved one has been involved in a motor vehicle crash, call a South Dakota car accident attorney at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole. Our team of experienced attorneys is here to listen to you and help you through these difficult times. Call the law offices at (888) 733-2992, with offices in Sioux Falls and Parker we are available to meet with you when you are ready.
  
  

• Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident in Huron Claims Life of Pickup Driver
  Nov 26, 2011

  A fatal motor vehicle accident occurred on Thursday, October 27, 2011, in Huron, South Dakota, when a pickup truck pulling a trailer, driven by Richard Anno Boomsma, 81, of Huron, crashed into a house in the 100 block of Fourth Street Northeast. According to Cory Borg, Public Information Officer, the pickup truck was traveling east on Highway 14, and at approximately 6:14 a.m. the vehicle crossed the westbound lane of traffic, crashing into the house. Sadly, Boomsma was pronounced dead at the scene.

   

  According to Borg, while it is believed that medical reasons were the cause of this motor vehicle crash, alcohol was not a factor. Additionally, Boomsma was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the accident.

   

  Thankfully, the house was not occupied at the time the collision occurred.

   

  The accident is currently under investigation by the Huron Police Department and the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

   

  We extend our deepest condolences and thoughts of sympathy to the family of Richard Anno Boomsma.

   

  If you have been injured in a motor vehicle crash, contact a South Dakota personal injury attorney at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole. Contact the office today at (888) 733-2992 to speak with an experienced South Dakota personal injury lawyer.

• South Dakota Transportation Department Warns of Crashes with Plows
  Nov 22, 2011

  According to a plan adopted by South Dakota's Transportation Commission, a new budget was passed this year increasing the amount of funding for plowing and de-icing for the upcoming 2011-2012 winter season. The new budget of $17.9 million is $1.1 million more than last year's budget, as the Department of Transportation exceeded last year's proposed budget by more than $1 million. According to Jason Humphrey, the Department of Transportation's Construction and Maintenance Engineer, the new budget has taken into consideration increased expenses for fuel and road-surface chemicals.

   

  In addition, Humphrey has indicated that the Department of Transportation will focus on informing drivers that snow plows generally travel at only 30-35 miles per hour. In 2010 there were 38 accidents in South Dakota where operators of motor vehicles crashed into plow trucks. In 19 of these accidents the plow trucks were rear-ended, and in the other 19 accidents the plow trucks were sideswiped. According to reports, the primary issue is motor vehicle operators approaching plow trucks at too high a speed.

  
  In 2010, certain state highways had to be repeatedly shut down due to high winds and snowfall. The Department's plans for the 2011-2012 year require state highways that have an average daily count of more than 1,000 vehicles to be 80 percent clear within 18 hours after the end of a weather event and highways with less traffic to be 80 percent clear within 36 hours of the end of a weather event.

   

  At this time South Dakota's laws do not allow for variable speed limits that are dependent on weather conditions.

   

  The treacherous South Dakota winter weather is coming for 2011, so do not take chances. If you or a loved one is in an accident, contact a South Dakota personal injury attorney at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole. Call the law office toll free at (888) 733-2992 or complete the contact form on this page.

• South Dakota Resident Killed While Helping Others Involved in Crash
  Nov 21, 2011

  On Thursday, October 20, 2011, at approximately 9 p.m., Gerald Roth of Jefferson, South Dakota, was traveling on Interstate 29 near the South Dakota-Iowa border when he saw a car accident and pulled over to help the drivers. Roth, 57, parked his car and walked towards the crash victims. While walking to the crash, Roth moved into a motor vehicle lane to warn other motorists of the collision and was hit by an on-coming 2004 Dodge Durango, driven by Kenneth R. Farley, 40, of Lincoln, Nebraska. Roth was rushed to a Sioux City hospital where he was pronounced dead.

   

  At the time he was hit, Roth had been trying to help the victims of a crash involving Jefferson Galvin, 15, of Dakota Dunes, who was driving a 2002 Oldsmobile Aurora, and Lena Ramirez, 21, of Sioux City, who was driving a 1998 Mercury Sable. Galvin had lost control of his car while driving northbound on I-29. He crossed over the median and into the southbound lanes where he hit the Mercury Sable. Both Galvin and Ramirez were taken to a Sioux City hospital with serious but non life-threatening injuries.

   

  We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Gerald Roth and wish for a quick recovery to both Jefferson Galvin and Lena Ramirez.

   

  If you have been involved in a car crash, contact a South Dakota car accident attorney at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole. Call the office toll free at (888) 733-2992.

• Teenage Driver Crashes into South Dakota DMV Before Driving Test
  Nov 20, 2011

  A car accident occurred in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, on October 26, 2011, when a teenage driver, who was driving to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to take the written portion of the driver's test, crashed into the DMV building on Westport Avenue. The teenager was driving the car, and her mother was in the front passenger's seat at the time of the crash. Instead of pulling the car into a parking space in front of the DMV building, the teenager drove straight into the building. According to police, the driver's nerves caused her to accidently hit the accelerator instead of the brake.

   

  The collision startled the people inside, who heard a crash and then breaking glass. Fortunately, nobody was hurt in this accident, but the office did close down while the hole was being boarded up. The police did not release the name of the driver and will not be issuing any citations, as they believe this is an issue for the insurance companies.

   

  According to the DMV, this teenager was not the first to crash into the building. Throughout the years seven drivers have crashed into the DMV office.

   

  If your teenage driver has been involved in a crash, contact a South Dakota car accident attorney at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole. Call our office toll free at (888) 733-2992 to speak with an experienced South Dakota car accident lawyer and also order a copy of our free book, The Ultimate Guide to Car and Truck Accident Cases in South Dakota: 7 Deadly Sins That Can Wreck Your Injury Claim, available on our website.

• South Dakota Motorcycle Attorney Rationalizes Lower Numbers at Sturgis
  Nov 13, 2011

  Attendance decreased at this year's 71^st Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, which took place in South Dakota the week of August 8, 2011. According to officials, attendance was down approximately 50,000, or 11 percent. Sturgis Rally Department Director, Brenda Vasknetz, attributes this year's low numbers to the weakened economy, high gas prices, and the flooding of the Missouri River. The decline was expected based on the lower number of vendor licenses issued. However, approximately 416,727 people still attended the 2011 rally.

   

  While there were less people in attendance at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, Sturgis Police Chief Jim Bush indicated that the number of calls to the police department for service increased this year. Bush also indicated that the number of non traffic-related arrests increased by 44 from 2010 and the number of traffic-related arrests climbed by 60. According to police reports, there were also 80 personal injuries from motorcycle accidents at the 2011 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.

   

  If you have been involved in a motorcycle crash, contact an experienced South Dakota motorcycle attorney at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole. Don't wait to get help. Call us toll free at (888) 733-2992, or complete the contact form on this page for a free consultation with a knowledgeable South Dakota motorcycle lawyer.

• Sioux Falls Motorcycle Accident Tragically Claims Life of Pedestrian
  Oct 30, 2011

  A tragic motorcycle accident on the evening of Tuesday, September 27, 2011, took the life of Maralee A. Chrans, 56, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Chrans was walking her dog at 33rd Street and Center Avenue when a motorcycle, driven by Daniel John Richards, 20, also of Sioux Falls, struck both Chrans and her dog.

  According to Lieutenant Jerome Miller of the Sioux Falls Police Department, Richards was traveling eastbound on 33rd Street when he ran into Chrans, who was crossing the street. Chrans had the right of way as a pedestrian. Sadly, both Chrans and her dog died from injuries related to the accident.

  Richards was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash and was hospitalized for a concussion and road rash. Richards has not yet been charged or issued any citations, police are still trying to determine whether speed was a factor.

  We extend our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Maralee A. Chrans, who were impacted by this tragic accident.

  If you or a loved one has been involved in a South Dakota motorcycle accident, contact the personal injury attorneys at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole. Call the office toll-free at (888) 733-2992.

• South Dakota Truck Rollover Kills 62 Hogs near Delmont
  Oct 28, 2011

  Randy Sieck, of Ireton, Iowa, was driving a semi-truck hauling a stock trailer with 178 hogs through South Dakota on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, when the truck rolled over on its right side. The accident occurred at approximately 9:50 a.m., six miles north of Delmont, on 402nd Avenue. Sieck was driving a 2000 Peterbilt tractor at the time of the wreck.

  According to Trooper Mike Peterson of the South Dakota Highway Patrol, Sieck was cited for careless driving, as speed and distracted driving were both factors in the truck accident. Sieck was wearing a seat belt and was not injured; however, 62 hogs died as a result of the rollover. While additional hogs were injured in the wreck, the exact number of injured hogs is unknown.

  Sieck owned the truck and was driving for Prime Time Express of Corsica at the time of the accident; the company also owned the stock trailer. The crash remains under investigation.

  If you have been involved in a crash with a truck driver in South Dakota, contact an experienced South Dakota personal injury attorney at Zimmer, Duncan & Cole. Call the office toll-free at (888) 733-2992 or complete the contact form on this page to speak with a knowledgeable South Dakota personal injury lawyer.

• SUV Rolled Over in Recent Accident
  Aug 24, 2011

  In Yankton on Saturday, July 30, 2011, at 9:54 a.m., a vehicle pulling out of a parking lot struck an SUV filled with four people. The SUV spun out of control and rolled over on 21^st St. 

  Emergency personnel worked quickly with the help of a Los Angeles fireman, who happened to witness the accident. They were able to get everyone safely out of the vehicle, but the roof of the SUV had to be removed to free one passenger. 

  Fortunately, there were no serious injuries.