South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg reported hitting a deer on Saturday night. It was later discovered that he had struck and killed a pedestrian.
What We Know:
- Attorney General Ravnsborg told the Hyde County Sheriff’s Office that he had hit a deer on the highway on Saturday night. Unfortunately, the body of 55-year-old Joseph Boever was found on Sunday morning. There is currently an ongoing investigation into the fatal crash being conducted by the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
- Ravnsborg said that he was returning home from a fundraising event on Saturday night when the crash occurred. He claims that he did not consume alcohol before, during, or after the event. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety did not mention in their statement whether or not Ravnsborg stopped his vehicle after the incident.
- Ravnsborg’s chief of staff Timothy Bormann released a statement on Monday calling the crash “a tragic accident”. “The Office of the Attorney General extends our deepest sympathy and condolences to the family of Mr. Boever. The Attorney General, and our office, are cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation of this event and will continue to do so,” the statement read. Ravnsborg also reportedly published a two-page letter in the Argus Leader detailing his experience. Authorities have not confirmed any of the information in it yet.
- South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem spoke in a press conference on Sunday. She confirmed that Ravnsborg was involved in the fatal car crash and that it was being investigated. No additional information was released at the time.
Nick Nemec, Boever’s cousin, identified the body on Sunday. He suspects that Ravnsborg was distracted while driving and said that he and the family “want answers”.
