Two-Vehicle Collision Reported at 26th Avenue and 19th Street NE

Watertown Fire Rescue proudly displays the American flag from a ladder truck, signifying readiness and community spirit outside the station.

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Watertown Fire Rescue (WFR) responded to a two-vehicle collision yesterday at approximately 5:10 p.m. at the intersection of 26th Avenue and 19th Street NE.

Upon arriving at the scene, crews found two four-door vehicles with significant front-end damage. Debris was scattered across the roadway, and a large fluid spill was present. One driver requested medical evaluation by WFR paramedics for minor injuries but declined transport to Prairie Lakes Emergency Department. The second driver declined a medical review.

Engine 4 temporarily closed 26th Avenue just west of 19th Street for approximately 35 minutes to allow crews to clean up the debris and manage the oil and fluid spill, which was complicated by wet road conditions.

Watertown Fire Rescue, in coordination with Codington County Sheriff's Deputies, determined that the South Dakota Department of Transportation (DOT) needed to be contacted to sweep the intersection to prevent further incidents.

The Codington County Sheriff’s Office, Watertown Police Department, Performance Towing, Active Towing, and the State DOT also responded to the scene.

Watertown Fire Rescue noted that despite the high-impact nature of the collision, both drivers sustained only minor injuries, which was credited in part to the use of seat belts. WFR reminds all drivers to buckle up.