South Dakota’s attorney general has been charged with three misdemeanors after he was involved in a car crash that killed a pedestrian.
Jason Ravnsborg (R) is being charged with operating a vehicle while using a mobile or electronic device, a lane driving violation and careless driving, the Hyde County State’s Attorney’s Office said Thursday, the Argus Leader reported.
The charges stem from a crash last September that killed Joe Boever, 55. Boever was walking along the side of a highway back to his truck that was in a ditch when he was struck by Ravnsborg’s vehicle. Ravnsborg drove off after the incident, saying he believed he hit a deer.
Beadle County State’s Attorney Michael Moore, who was on the case, said Boever’s family was unsatisfied with the charges brought against Ravnsborg.
If Ravnsborg is convicted of careless driving, he could get a $500 fine or 30 days in jail, or both, according to the Argus Leader.
Forensic evidence reportedly shows Ravnsborg was not on his phone during the time of the accident, though the charge involving is phone was brought because of his alleged actions before the crash.
Hyde County State’s Attorney Emily Sovell did not provide an answer on why Ravnsborg didn’t see Boever on the side of the road, the Argus Leader reported Thursday.
The evidence is “insufficient to bring criminal charges in South Dakota” against Ravnsborg, Moore said. The charges brought against him do not make him “criminally responsible” for Boever’s death.
“I am shocked and filled with sorrow following the events of last night,” Ravnsborg said after the incident.
Boever’s body was not found until the morning after the crash.