{KXLG – Watertown, SD} A single vehicle rollover crash on Interstate 29 near Watertown caused one person to be injured and blocked a southbound lane Wednesday night.
Watertown Fire Rescue (WFR) responded to a scene near Mile Marker 179 before 10:30pm on May 14th. Upon arrival, emergency crews found that the vehicle had capsized and blocked the southbound lanes of the interstate. One resident was trapped inside the wreckage.
Firefighters used a special extraction device commonly known as the “Jaw of Life” to free individuals from the vehicle. Paramedics then provided medical care on the scene before transporting patients to Prairie Lakes Hospital for further treatment. The extent of the injury is currently unknown.
The accident caused a significant amount of debris to scatter across the southbound lane, requiring a long cleanup operation. Engine 1 of Watertown Fire Rescue remained on the scene for about two hours to support these efforts, with support from a local towing and recovery service, Crocker's crash.
The Watertown Fire Force received support on-site from multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Coddington County Sheriff's Office, the Watertown Police Department and the South Dakota State Highway Patrol. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident.
The southbound lane of I-29 near Mile Marker 179 was temporarily closed to traffic while emergency responders worked to clear the scene. Drivers were advised to seek alternative routes. Lanes were then reopened.
