Medical Emergency Leads to SUV Crash into Watertown Business
- Steve Jurrens
- Feb 9
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD – After receiving a media release from the Watertown Police Department, it has been learned that a medical emergency is being cited as the cause of a single-vehicle accident that sent one man to the hospital Monday morning after his SUV struck a local business in southwest Watertown.
At approximately 9:54 AM on Monday, February 9, emergency responders from Watertown Fire Rescue (WFR) and the Watertown Police Department (WPD) were dispatched to the 2400 block of 9th Avenue SW.
A 45-year-old Watertown man was traveling eastbound on U.S. Highway 212 in a black 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe when his vehicle left the roadway. The SUV crossed the median and the westbound traffic lanes before colliding with the foundation of Discount Seeds.
The driver sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries. He was treated at the scene and transported by Medic 3 to Prairie Lakes Hospital for further evaluation.
The impact resulted in the following damage:
· Vehicle: The Chevrolet Tahoe sustained extensive front-end damage and is considered a total loss. It was removed from the scene by Active Towing.
· Building: WFR and WPD officials reported that the building escaped major structural issues, sustaining only minor damage to the exterior siding and no structural damage to the concrete foundation.
Following an investigation by the Watertown Police Department, authorities determined the driver experienced a medical emergency prior to leaving the roadway. Investigators stated that alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the crash.
Following the accident, the WPD issued a reminder to the community about the importance of wearing seatbelts, noting that many accidents occur near home. Under South Dakota law, front-seat occupants must wear seat belts while operating vehicles on public highways.
