Hit & run crash

On December 10th at around 4:35 p.m., police received a report of a hit and run crash at the intersection of West Boulevard and Franklin Street. Police learned that a green passenger vehicle had rear-ended another car before leaving the scene of the crash. The suspect vehicle was located in the area of 9th Street and South Street, and the driver was standing near the car. Police made contact with the driver, identified as 27-year-old Blake McPherson of Rapid City, and noted the smell of an alcoholic beverage coming from his person. As police attempted to place McPherson in handcuffs, he resisted and pulled away from police. He was taken to the ground and continued to resist being placed in handcuffs. A Taser was deployed, but was not successful. A second Taser was deployed, and was again unsuccessful. McPherson continued to struggle with police, who were eventually able to get him into handcuffs. The driver of the vehicle involved in the original crash was able to positively identify McPherson as the driver who fled the scene of the crash. A pre-tow inventory of McPherson’s vehicle turned up marijuana and associated paraphernalia. McPherson was placed under arrest for Leaving the Scene of an Accident, DUI, Resisting Arrest, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, and No Proof of Insurance. McPherson was transported to the Pennington County Jail.