{KXLG – Watertown, South Dakota} On Friday, January 17, 2025, at approximately 8:35 p.m., Watertown Police responded to a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of 9th Avenue SE and 6th Street SE . A 2012 blue Dodge Challenger traveling west on Southeast 9th Avenue collided with a 2021 maroon Dodge Challenger that entered the roadway from Southeast 6th Avenue and was making a left turn onto Southeast 9th Avenue.
Both vehicles sustained significant damage and had to be towed from the scene. The driver of the Maroon Dodge Challenger was temporarily pinned down in the driver's seat and required extrication using the “jaws of life” by Watertown Fire Rescue. The driver was then taken to Prairie Lakes Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The female and male passengers on the Maroon Challenger were also taken to Prairie Lakes Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Among the injured was a male passenger in the back seat who was not wearing a seatbelt. The driver of the Blue Challenger was examined at the scene and was found to be unharmed.
The eastbound lanes of Highway 212 were temporarily closed for about an hour and 15 minutes while emergency crews removed debris from the road. Engine 1 remained at the scene for approximately one hour. Watertown Fire Rescue received assistance from the Watertown Police Department, Codington County Sheriff's Office, and Active Towing.
The incident remains under investigation and charges are pending.
