On April 15th at around 12:05 a.m., a police officer was on patrol eastbound on St. Joseph Street approaching the intersection with 6th Street. The officer had a flashing yellow light to proceed through the intersection. As the officer made his way through the intersection, a passenger vehicle Northbound on 6th Street (which did not yield during a flashing red light) pulled in front of the officer’s patrol vehicle. The officer could not avoid the collision and struck the vehicle on the driver’s side. After determining that no one in the other vehicle did not need immediate medical attention, the officer noticed several open beer cans inside the vehicle. The officer was uninjured in the collision. A Trooper from the South Dakota Highway Patrol was called to the scene to investigate the crash portion of the incident. In the meantime, police conducted a DUI investigation on the driver, identified as 30-year-old Jovannah King of Rapid City. Ultimately, King was placed under arrest for DUI (3rd), Open Container in a Motor Vehicle, Driving Under Suspension, and a Warrant. Three other passengers were each cited for Open Container in a Motor Vehicle. They are identified as 24-year-old Bryan Blackbear of Rapid City, 33-year-old Amber Mesteth of Rapid City, and 58-year-old Patricia Redeagle of Porcupine.
Here’s a photo of the damage to our patrol vehicle caused by this DUI driver.
