State Watch

South Dakota AG to take plea deal, avoid trial in fatal car crash: prosecutor

South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg (R) will enter a plea deal and avoid a trial stemming from a car crash last year that led to the death of a man, Beadle County State’s Attorney Michael Moore told The Associated Press.

“There won’t be a trial and there will be a plea entered,” Moore told the AP.

Moore could not discuss the details of the plea deal due to a judge’s order but said the deal will be entered on Thursday.

Ravnsborg is facing three misdemeanor charges after he allegedly hit and killed Joe Boever last September. 

Ravnsborg was driving at night and allegedly hit Boever, who was walking on the side of a highway.

Ravnsborg said he thought he hit a deer, even after Boever’s glasses were found in Ravnsborg’s car.

“They’re Joe’s glasses, so that means his face came through your windshield,” a detective said in an interview with Ravnsborg, who continued to deny knowing he hit Boever.

Ravnsborg faced multiple calls to step down from his position, even from fellow Republican, Gov. Kristi Noem, but has refused. 

He will enter into the plea deal the same day his trial was supposed to begin. 

Each misdemeanor charge he is facing has a jail sentence of up to 30 days and a fine of up to $500.

The Hill has reached out to the attorney general’s office for comment.