Police Remind Drivers to Buckle Up After Serious Collision on B Avenue NE
- Steve Jurrens
- 1 hour ago
- 2 min read
Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Icy road conditions are believed to be a contributing factor in a serious two-vehicle collision Tuesday morning that sent one woman to the hospital.
The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m. at the intersection of B Avenue NE and 18th Street NE. According to the Watertown Police Department (WPD), a 1993 red Ford Ranger driven by a 20-year-old male from Gary, S.D., was traveling westbound on B Avenue when it entered the intersection at the same time as a southbound 2017 Toyota Camry, driven by a 55-year-old Watertown woman.
A witness reported that both drivers attempted to brake; however, due to ice on the roadway, neither vehicle could stop in time to avoid the collision. The Ford Ranger struck the driver’s side of the Camry, causing the sedan to leave the roadway and strike a light pole on the southwest corner of the intersection.
Watertown Fire Rescue (WFR) responded to the scene and used hydraulic extrication tools to remove the driver’s side door of the Camry to reach the motorist. The 55-year-old female driver was extricated and transported to Prairie Lakes Healthcare System with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Ford Ranger was not injured.
The impact caused significant damage. The Toyota Camry is estimated to be a total loss and was towed from the scene by Performance Towing. The Ford Ranger sustained approximately $6,500 in damage but could be driven away from the scene.
In addition to the vehicle damage, a street sign was knocked down, and the light pole struck by the Camry was left energized on the boulevard. Watertown Street and Utilities departments were notified to secure and repair the infrastructure.
The Watertown Police Department stated that the accident remains under investigation, and charges are pending.
“The Watertown Police Department reminds motorists of the importance of wearing seatbelts,” the department said in a release. “Many traffic accidents occur close to home — take the time to buckle up.”
