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Swerving Vehicle Causes Multi-Truck Collision on Highway 212

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - A Friday evening commute was disrupted yesterday when a three-vehicle collision on Highway 212 sent one man to the hospital. At approximately 5:12 p.m. on January 23, 2026, the Watertown Police Department and Watertown Fire Rescue were dispatched to the 2100 block of 9th Ave SW (Highway 212), near Evolution Powersports, following reports of a motor vehicle crash with injuries. According to official releases, the crash was triggered when a light-colored SUV traveling southbound on 21st St SW pulled onto Highway 212 directly into the path of a westbound white 2017 Chevrolet K3500. The driver of the Chevrolet—a 23-year-old Watertown male—swerved to the left to avoid hitting the SUV. The maneuver caused his truck and the attached flatbed trailer, which was loaded with approximately 40 sheets of drywall, to cross into the eastbound lanes. An eastbound black 2011 Ford F-150, driven by a 50-year-old Watertown male, was unable to avoid the swerving vehicle and collided with the Chevrolet’s trailer. The impact sent both the trucks and the trailer into the ditch on the south side of the highway. Watertown Fire Rescue’s Medic 4 transported the 50-year-old driver of the Ford F-150 to Prairie Lakes Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and passenger of the Chevrolet pickup reported no injuries. The collision resulted in: • Ford F-150: Significant, disabling front-end damage; removed by Crocker’s Towing. • Flatbed Trailer: Significant damage. • Chevrolet K3500: Minor damage; remained drivable. Scene Response Fire crews remained on the scene for about 20 minutes to assist with debris removal and traffic safety. While the SUV involved in the initial near-miss did not collide with the other vehicles, the Watertown Police Department’s investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - A Friday evening commute was disrupted yesterday when a three-vehicle collision on Highway 212 sent one man to the hospital.


At approximately 5:12 p.m. on January 23, 2026, the Watertown Police Department and Watertown Fire Rescue were dispatched to the 2100 block of 9th Ave SW (Highway 212), near Evolution Powersports, following reports of a motor vehicle crash with injuries.


According to official releases, the crash was triggered when a light-colored SUV traveling southbound on 21st St SW pulled onto Highway 212 directly into the path of a westbound white 2017 Chevrolet K3500.


The driver of the Chevrolet—a 23-year-old Watertown male—swerved to the left to avoid hitting the SUV. The maneuver caused his truck and the attached flatbed trailer, which was loaded with approximately 40 sheets of drywall, to cross into the eastbound lanes.


An eastbound black 2011 Ford F-150, driven by a 50-year-old Watertown male, was unable to avoid the swerving vehicle and collided with the Chevrolet’s trailer. The impact sent both the trucks and the trailer into the ditch on the south side of the highway.

Watertown Fire Rescue’s Medic 4 transported the 50-year-old driver of the Ford F-150 to Prairie Lakes Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and passenger of the Chevrolet pickup reported no injuries.


The collision resulted in:

·        Ford F-150: Significant, disabling front-end damage; removed by Crocker’s Towing.

·        Flatbed Trailer: Significant damage.

·        Chevrolet K3500: Minor damage; remained drivable.


Scene Response

Fire crews remained on the scene for about 20 minutes to assist with debris removal and traffic safety. While the SUV involved in the initial near-miss did not collide with the other vehicles, the Watertown Police Department’s investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

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