A team of prosecutors is waiting for testing results on a piece of debris that may show where South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg’s car was when he struck and killed a man over three months ago.
Hyde County State’s Attorney Emily Sovell, who will make the final decision on whether Ravnsborg will be charged with any crime in the Sept 12 crash that killed 55-year old Joe Boever of Highmore, said 2 weeks ago she expected to issue a report by Christmas.
Governor Kristi Noem lashed out at Sovell earlier this month, calling it unacceptable that after more than 3 months there still wasn’t a decision on charges.
The governor said in an email to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader last week that the fact the investigation has lasted more than 100 days is a “disservice to the victim’s family.”’
Minnehaha County State’s Attorney Crystal Johnson, part of a team of prosecutors advising Sovell, says she does not have a time frame for getting either the results of the additional testing or the decision on charges.
Officials have not said exactly what the piece of debris is, only that it’s “unusual” and could indicate where Ravnsborg’s car was in relation to the pavement and shoulder.
Ravnsborg was returning from a Republican event when he thought he hit a deer. He called 911, but a search of the area found nothing.
Ravnsborg discovered Boever’s body in a ditch the next morning as he was returning a borrowed car.
Authorities say Ravnsborg was distracted when he drifted onto the shoulder and struck Boever, but have not provided further details about the accident or the investigation.