South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg Receives Three Misdemeanors And No Felony Charges After Fatally Hitting Man With Car

The South Dakota Attorney General, who fatally hit a man with his car, has been charged with three misdemeanors and no felonies. 

On Sept. 12, 2020, Jason Ravnsborg veered off onto the shoulder of a highway near where 55-year-old Joseph Boever was walking, hitting him with his car and killing him. According to AP News, crash investigators said Ravnsborg was distracted when the accident occurred. 

He’s now been charged with three misdemeanors, including careless driving, operating a vehicle while using a mobile device, and driving out of his lane. According to People, Ravnsborg is looking at 30 days in jail and a $500 fine for each charge if he’s convicted. Deputy Hyde County State’s Attorney Emily Sovell claims there was not enough information to prove he deserved a more severe felony charge like vehicular manslaughter or homicide, People reports. 

“Recklessness is an extremely high burden for us to establish, and in this case, we don’t have it,” said Beadle County State’s Attorney Michael Moore, who assisted in the case, the Argus Leader reported per People. “I don’t feel good about it, but it’s the right decision.”

“There was a very, very thorough investigation conducted for every step that was taken by him in the hours preceding, and nothing was indicative of him being under the influence of any alcohol or drugs,” Sovell said. A toxicology report showed he had no alcohol in his system, however, the Ravnsborg’s blood wasn’t drawn until 15 hours after the crash. He turned his electronic devices over to officials involved in the investigation. 

Ravnsborg said, at the time, that he thought he’d hit a deer, but Boever’s body was found the morning after the incident. Boever’s family could file a civil suit against Ravnsborg; they’ve reportedly expressed their disappointment in the charges given to Ravnsborg. “I was afraid the charge would be something on the order of crossing the white line, and that’s exactly what the charge was,” said Boever’s cousin, Nick Nemec, to the AP.