Watertown, SD (April 2, 2025) – A two-vehicle crash involving semi-trucks near 175th Street and Highway 81 South in Watertown resulted in one driver being hospitalized Tuesday afternoon, according to Watertown Fire Rescue.
Incident Details: Emergency crews responded to the scene and found one semi-truck in a ditch with significant front-end damage and another semi blocking the roadway, also with major damage. Two individuals were evaluated at the scene, and one was transported to Prairie Lakes Hospital for further treatment. The crash left a large debris field and forced the rerouting of both northbound and southbound traffic on Highway 81.
Investigation and Legal Considerations: The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating the cause of the collision. Authorities have not yet determined whether speed, distraction, or mechanical failure played a role. In commercial vehicle crashes, driver actions, compliance with hours-of-service regulations, and vehicle maintenance records are typically reviewed. The injured driver may have grounds for a personal injury claim depending on findings of fault.
Source: KXLG