South Dakota Highway Patrolman injured in Watertown crash

February 22, 2021
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–A South Dakota Highway Patrolman was injured Friday night in a two vehicle accident on Highway 20 in Watertown.

Police Sergeant Trevor Barthel says it happened just after 7:00 p.m. when the 38 year-old State Trooper was catching up to a vehicle he was about to conduct a traffic stop on near Highway 20 and 10th Street Northwest.

That’s when a pickup driven by a 79 year-old man turned southbound onto Highway 20 and collided with the patrol squad car.

Both drivers had minor injuries and later sought medical treatment. Their names were not released. 

Damage to the squad car was estimated at $4,000, and damage to the pickup was estimated at $2,000.

Watertown police are investigating the crash, and charges are pending.