Watertown PD squad car heavily damaged in crash

April 19, 2023
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.–A Watertown police squad car was heavily damaged in a three vehicle accident this week.

Police Sergeant Ryan Beauchamp says it happened Monday afternoon in the 2600 block of 9th Avenue Southeast.

The squad car was enroute to assist another officer with a separate traffic crash investigation. The squad car did not have its lights or siren activated at the time, and was driving below the posted speed limit of 45 mph.

A vehicle pulled out onto 9th Avenue Southeast and struck a westbound vehicle. This occurred ahead of the squad car, and as a result of that crash, the vehicle that was struck lost control and crossed over the center median crashing into the squad car that was eastbound.

The squad car sustained disabling damage.

The police officer involved in the crash was treated and released from Prairie Lakes Hospital.

The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating.