GUILTY SD - Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg, involved in fatal car hit and run, Sioux Falls, Sept 2020 *plea *Impeached*

[JudgeJoe]

Crash experts weigh in:
“Weiss said the accident was clearly a high-speed collision because the passenger-side windshield on Ravnsborg’s car was smashed in.

Weiss said a low-profile vehicle such as a Ford Taurus would tend to sweep a person or a deer onto the hood and into the windshield, which should have made it easier to identify what object was struck...

Desch and Weiss said the reconstruction expert may benefit from a wealth of information gathered from computers within Ravsnborg’s car.

According to manufacturer information, the 2011 Ford Taurus is equipped an air-bag control module that can show both pre-crash and crash data, including speed, engine RPM, brake and throttle application levels, rate of deceleration, and when safety measures such as air bags and seat belt tensioners deployed...

Weiss said the 2011 Ford might also have an infotainment system that can record significant real-time information, including the precise time an accident occurred and a global-positioning system that can show exactly where a car suddenly decelerated.”


Boever’s Family weighs in:
“Another odd detail, Nick Nemec said, was that Ravnsborg said he returned to the scene the next day and found Boever’s body. Ravnsborg said in a statement issued Monday, Sept. 14, that as he and Bormann “approached Highmore, they noticed the debris from the crash the night before. The two men stopped to see if they could see the animal Ravnsborg thought he hit.”

Ravnsborg said the pair then walked the highway and found Boever’s body in the ditch, and that they then drove to Volek’s home to alert him. Nick Nemec said that seems a bit odd because Volek’s home is located about half a mile west of the crash scene, meaning that Ravnsborg and Bormann drove past Volek’s house to return to the accident scene before returning the borrowed car.”

Ravnsborg’s fate hinges on the answers to 3 questions:

1. Was Ravnsborg distracted while driving?
2. Was he speeding when Boever was hit?
3. Where was Boever standing or walking when he was hit?

Crash experts question Ravnsborg’s car-deer explanation and raise concerns of distracted driving | KELOLAND.com

 

[Sparko]

Why do you think there would've been a scream?

Because when you are surprised and grievously hurt, you react.

 

[Sparko]

And he destroyed evidence by leaving the scene of the hit and run. Both blood evidence and clothing evidence is gone now. He did not provide a blood/breath sample at the time and you can't get that time back. Any signs of Boever's blood on his clothing could have been washed away. Lots of reasons this should have been better investigated. My hope is for the three questions above to be answered truthfully.

 

[Deleted member 267032]

And he destroyed evidence by leaving the scene of the hit and run. Both blood evidence and clothing evidence is gone now. He did not provide a blood/breath sample at the time and you can't get that time back. Any signs of Boever's blood on his clothing could have been washed away. Lots of reasons this should have been better investigated. My hope is for the three questions above to be answered truthfully.

Luminol tests for blood in his car when he passed through the windshield could be discovered. Plus there could be blood evidence in the sheriffs trunk. I hope they brought out one of those cadaver dogs to check out the sheriffs car. If the AG was drunk or tired when he hit the victim, I bet he was wide awake when he drove home with a body in the trunk.

 

[alexwood]

Well, I don't know about any of you all, but it sure is nice to have friends in high places -- well, not so high that they are "over" you, but high enough to help you out when you need it. In fact, if you "outrank" the person you are requesting a favor from, that individual would probably be tripping over himself to help -- and I'm not talking about Shake 'n Bake here either.

For instance, one night -- or, I should say early one morning -- as I was returning home from the bar after a night of drinking, I ran out of gas. Now, my gas gauge has not worked for many years, so I keep track of my gas level by using the trip meter. I reset it each time I fill the tank. I must have forgotten to do that. Back to the gas running out . . . well, since I know the Sheriff personally, I simply rang him up on my cell and asked him to drop by with a full gas can. He immediately sprung from his bed, because the next thing I knew, there he was! He asked what brought me out so early in the morning and I told him I'd been out tossing down a few. He didn't ask me to take a breathalyzer (sp?) test or go to the hospital to have blood drawn for blood/alcohol level. I hadn't had an accident -- I'd just run out of gas. He poured the gas in for me and soon we both went our separate ways.

My point: It's great to have friends. (I wish this story were true, but it is not.)

 

[elfie]

Where I live deer accidents are common & no breathalyzer or blood draw is taken. No crime has happened. I'm not even sure they have to be reported. In my state they must report if over $1000 damage. Law Enforcement doesn't perform alcohol testing without probable cause. From the looks of the sparsely attended fund raiser I doubt too many were swilling liquor. jmo

Have never seen an accident with a deer that didn’t leave deer hair (at least). Sadly have seen quite a few, others often just a grazing, always with some hair left behind. No deer hair, no reason to believe it was a deer.

 

[Sparko]

I think the big point here isn't "innocent till proven guilty." He is actually guilty of hitting a man and leaving him for dead. The actual question is if mitigating factors lets him do this and not suffer any consequences. As a minimum, he should resign. Looking rationally at the event, it is simply horrifying. Because of the deference he received from the sheriff, it is conceivable any number of things could have happened to ensure he is not brought to justice. He did not look like a man in contrition either--which prompted me to come here and discuss the case. People who do this kind of thing and brush it off are why we are on this site looking to see justice for victims. This incident reminds me of the Ramsey murder. They were given such latitude that they were able to escape justice by finding the body and contaminating evidence. Next time you drive at night, examine what is in front of you and truly ask yourself if you could hit a man and not know it as he slides into your windshield. Or turns and sees a speeding car and screams his last.

 

[LadyL]

Because when you are surprised and grievously hurt, you react.

I doubt there would have been time to be surprised or realize he's grievously hurt. If he had that kind of time to see it coming, he would've jumped out of the way. I think once he got hit, if it wasn't instant death, he would simply be in shock. No screaming IMO.

 

[Sparko]

I doubt there would have been time to be surprised or realize he's grievously hurt. If he had that kind of time to see it coming, he would've jumped out of the way. I think once he got hit, if it wasn't instant death, he would simply be in shock. No screaming IMO.

It is an involuntary reaction than can take milliseconds. I have instantaneous reflex reactions; others do not, definitely varies--I understand that. And no one walking off the roadway would expect a car converging from behind. It would be a shock when the brakes locked. It would also be a cue before the event giving one an instant to turn and react to the inevitable collision. I do hope they release a free and fair investigation soon. Ravnsborg is still weighing in daily on similar crimes. Part of me wants Ravnsborg to be haunted by his actions if he has gamed the system.

 

[JudgeJoe]

Just realized the fatality victim’s birthday was yesterday...

JOSEPH BOEVER’S OBITUARY:
He was a nurse with a special connection to the elderly. He was also a handyman, talented gardener, voracious reader- with a dry humor & unexpected wit. He leaves behind a wife, mom, 6 brother & sisters, many other relatives.
RIP JOSEPH BOEVER.
Joseph Boever Obituary - Dell Rapids, South Dakota , Kahler Funeral Home | Tribute Arcive

 

[JudgeJoe]

UPDATE (non-update?):
“The DPS spokesman... is not disclosing which agency is handling what parts of the investigation, including whether the state's top law enforcement official will be interviewed by fellow South Dakota public safety officials or ones from North Dakota.

"How duties are shared are internal decisions," Tony Mangan said.

Mangan also said he couldn't share the following information because it's part of an ongoing investigation:

• When and how Ravnsborg contacted the Hyde County Sheriff's Office to report hitting the deer;
• Whether Ravnsborg got out of the car after the crash to look for the deer and any damage to his car;
• If local law enforcement arrived to look for the deer on Saturday night;
• Whether Ravnsborg was driving a personal or state-owned vehicle;
• If Ravnsborg made it home to Pierre on Saturday night or had to leave his car somewhere and get a ride;
• Where and when on Sunday morning the victim was found, and by whom;
• Whether law enforcement found any parts of Ravnsborg's car on the road;
• If Ravnsborg has already been tested for drugs and alcohol, and if so when.”

None of this is surprising, since active investigation, but will be interesting to see the answers to these questions when it all comes out. Imo
UPDATE: DPS not sharing key info about attorney general crash, investigation

 

[alexwood]

"With his car wrecked, Ravnsborg said he borrowed the sheriff's personal car to return to his home in Pierre. The next morning, he and chief of staff Tim Bormann drove back to return the sheriff's car."

South Dakota attorney general now says he found body of man he hit with car and killed

I believe that I read in MSM that the Ford Taurus, driven by AG Ravnsborg, was his own personal vehicle.

My question, among many others, is: Did the sheriff respond to Ravnsborg's accident in his own personal vehicle, or was it a vehicle belonging to the Sheriff's office? I'm inclined to think that the sheriff arrived at the scene in his own personal vehicle. Ravnsborg then drove the sheriff back to his home, and then Ravnsborg headed to his own home using the Sheriff's personal vehicle -- so generously made available to him.

 

[JudgeJoe]

"With his car wrecked, Ravnsborg said he borrowed the sheriff's personal car to return to his home in Pierre. The next morning, he and chief of staff Tim Bormann drove back to return the sheriff's car."

South Dakota attorney general now says he found body of man he hit with car and killed

I believe that I read in MSM that the Ford Taurus, driven by AG Ravnsborg, was his own personal vehicle.

My question, among many others, is: Did the sheriff respond to Ravnsborg's accident in his own personal vehicle, or was it a vehicle belonging to the Sheriff's office? I'm inclined to think that the sheriff arrived at the scene in his own personal vehicle. Ravnsborg then drove the sheriff back to his home, and then Ravnsborg headed to his own home using the Sheriff's personal vehicle -- so generously made available to him.

I wonder if the sheriff has ever loaned anyone else his personal vehicle after an accident? I find that most odd. Do they know each other personally?

 

[Sparko]

I wonder if the sheriff has ever loaned anyone else his personal vehicle after an accident? I find that most odd. Do they know each other personally?

The Sheriff on the scene, the body close to shoulder. Parts strewn everywhere in a disastrous crash. Brake marks on the shoulder. Broken windshield. The official story doesn't add up. If this was covered-up from the start by law enforcement, they will be loathe to admit it. I will be very impressed with SD if they charge both the Sheriff and Ravnsborg. People are rightly cynical of law enforcement's intentions these days.

 

[JudgeJoe]

The Sheriff on the scene, the body close to shoulder. Parts strewn everywhere in a disastrous crash. Brake marks on the shoulder. Broken windshield. The official story doesn't add up. If this was covered-up from the start by law enforcement, they will be loathe to admit it. I will be very impressed with SD if they charge both the Sheriff and Ravnsborg. People are rightly cynical of law enforcement's intentions these days.

I don’t want to throw LE under the bus, because 99% of the time I am SO GRATEFUL for what they do to keep us safe & bring us justice. But in this case, story doesn’t feel right. Imo, moo, jmo etc.

 

[Laughing]

JMHO YMMV LRR

 

[MoeInVA]

Omg I Am loving these recent posts. @JudgeJoe @Sparko
we need an option to send huge hearts when likes are not enough
This story is CRAZY.
Sad point on the screaming front, screams do often occur. Very sad and unpleasant to know. Regardless, Ravnsbourg must have seen him. 1) he braked (already on shoulder but he did) 2) he went thru the damn windshield

the sheriff culpability comes in strong too. No BAC, breathalyzer, field sobriety tests. Did not notice obvious signs at crash. Inadequate search. Lending vehicle. Did not secure scene or send the night shift out to investigate/search. Let potentially drunk or fatigued or clearly reckless driver drive home.

 

[ivegotthemic]

I wonder if the sheriff has ever loaned anyone else his personal vehicle after an accident? I find that most odd. Do they know each other personally?

The legally community/criminal justice community in general is usually pretty small. If they didnt know each other, its not far fetched that they at least knew of each other. That being said I wouldn't be surprised if the car loan was perhaps just a show of professional curtesy

 

[JudgeJoe]

The legally community/criminal justice community in general is usually pretty small. If they didnt know each other, its not far fetched that they at least knew of each other. That being said I wouldn't be surprised if the car loan was perhaps just a show of professional curtesy

Could be. But it’s not like the AG had a flat tire or blew his transmission. This could be a career ending move for both of them. Imo

 

[ivegotthemic]

Could be. But it’s not like the AG had a flat tire or blew his transmission. This could be a career ending move for both of them. Imo

Judge Joe, Im hoping to get some of your legal wisdom. I was reading the article about the law in South Dakota and pedestrian liability (which seems kind of wild and alot to ask of the jury). I was just curious if it makes a difference from a liability standpoint whether Ravnsborg called the sheriff directly or whether he called 911? (I was just thinking maybe that would have triggered EMTs to be dispatched to the scene - creating both more eyes to search and light in the area as opposed to just a sheriff showing up in a personal vehicle...... I may be way overthinking it) Thank you in advance

State laws will make it difficult to prosecute Ravnsborg in crash that killed man, lawyers say