A severe winter storm caused large semi-trucks to slip into the path of South Dakota Highway Patrol cruisers on slippery Interstates.
According to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 12:08 p.m on Thursday, law enforcement officers were dispatched to Interstate 90 near MP 395 for an injury crash involving a South Dakota Highway Patrol vehicle and a semi-tractor/trailer.
This collision occurred on March 18th between a semi-truck truck and a State Trooper due to snowy conditions. Source: South Dakota Highway Patrol via facebook (South Dakota Highway Patrol).
A South Dakota State Trooper’s cruiser was destroyed by a semi-truck while traveling on Interstate 90.
A trooper was providing traffic control to another crash, when a semi lost control of its vehicle and crashed into his car. The semi-truck driver was speeding on snowy roads with low visibility.
“Slow down! “You have somewhere to go,” South Dakota Highway Patrol posted on Facebook following the collision. “Ice and Snow, take it slow.”
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The trooper, who was inside the vehicle at the time the accident occurred, sustained non-life-threatening injuries. He was taken by ambulance to Sioux Falls Hospital in South Dakota for treatment.
The semi driver was issued a citation because he drove in unsafe road conditions.
According the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office the tractor trailer driver was speeding along Interstate 90 despite the snowy conditions.
After a snowstorm, Interstate 90 in South Dakota was buried in snow and ice. (South Dakota Highway Patrol).
On Saturday, a late-winter snowstorm swept through the Midwest, causing major road closures and bringing about one of the most extreme seasons in recent years.
According to the National Weather Service, the majority of southeastern South Dakota will be under a winter warning until Friday morning.
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“Do not drive on slippery roads. The NWS advises that blowing snow can significantly reduce visibility. Near blizzard conditions are possible at times, especially in rural areas. The hazardous conditions could affect the morning and evening commutes. Tree branches could be felled by gusty winds.”
Highway Patrol responded to several crashes in South Dakota on Thursday, during severe winter conditions and high winds.
The South Dakota Highway Patrol will issue a winter storm watch for the region Tuesday through Thursday in anticipation of a major winter storm.
According to the National Weather Service, some areas in the Upper Midwest could get more than 12 inches of winter snow by Sunday. Other areas could experience rain or freezing rain.
On Sunday, the storm is expected move into the Upper Great Lakes Region.
