Watertown Man Facing Felony DUI Charges After Traffic Stop Near Hayti

Northeast Radio SD News – Hayti, SD - A 29-year-old male from Watertown was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon following reports of a vehicle swerving dangerously across the roadway near Hayti.

The incident began at approximately 3:58 p.m. on April 14, 2026, when law enforcement received a report of a vehicle traveling northbound on U.S. Highway 81 near 190th Street. The reporting party informed dispatchers that the vehicle was swerving and, at one point, entered the ditch on the opposite side of the road.

According to the Hamlin County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle eventually turned onto South Dakota Highway 21 heading toward Hayti. A deputy located the car and conducted a traffic stop on the east side of the city.

During the stop, the deputy detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from the driver. Following the administration of Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs), the driver was arrested.

A subsequent inventory search of the vehicle uncovered alcoholic beverages and THC vape products. Authorities also obtained a search warrant to secure a blood sample from the suspect.

The driver was transported to the Codington County Jail, where he was booked on the following charges:

·         Felony Driving Under the Influence (DUI) 

·         Open Container in a Motor Vehicle 

·         Driving While License Revoked 

The Hamlin County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that any defendants listed are presumed innocent under the U.S. Constitution until proven guilty in a court of law.