Serious Vehicle Crash Leaves One Driver Critically Injured in South Dakota’s Watertown

Watertown Fire Rescue (WFR) responded to a severe car crash on the afternoon of Saturday, September 21, which resulted in critical injuries for the driver of a car involved.

Collision Between Semi-Truck and Car Causes Major Damage

The accident occurred around 4:15 PM at the intersection of US Highway 212 and 450th Avenue, located west of Watertown, South Dakota. According to initial reports, the crash involved a semi-truck and a four-door car. The collision caused both vehicles to veer off the road into the eastbound ditch. Upon arrival, emergency responders from WFR’s Medic 5 and Engine 4 observed extensive damage to both vehicles. The semi-truck sustained significant front-end damage, while the car suffered severe damage to its passenger side.

Driver Sustains Critical Injuries

The car’s driver, who was the only occupant, suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash. Emergency responders acted swiftly to transport the critically injured individual to Prairie Lakes Healthcare Systems for urgent medical care. Despite the severity of the impact, the driver of the semi-truck was unharmed and did not require medical attention at the scene.

Ongoing Investigation into the Cause

As the investigation continues, the South Dakota Highway Patrol and Codington County Sheriff’s Department are working to determine the cause of the accident. Both agencies are gathering information and examining the circumstances surrounding the collision to understand what led to the crash. No additional details have been released as authorities work through the investigation.

This accident serves as a reminder of the importance of road safety, especially at intersections and on highways, where large vehicles and passenger cars often share the road.