Officials Frustrated By Number Of HP Crashes

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Another highway patrol car and trooper have been hit on South Dakota roads.

The latest incident took place just south of Brookings on Interstate 29 Tuesday night.

Highway Patrol vehicles have been involved in 13 crashes across the state.

In the Sioux Falls district alone, seven cases involve Highway Patrol cars which have been rear ended while troopers were assisting people at the side of the road.

Highway Patrol Captain Kevin Joffer is frustrated with the high number of crashes because they are all preventable.

"It's just slowing down and don't over drive the conditions that are out there,” Joffer said.

The Highway Patrol office in Sioux Falls has been forced to use older, back-up squad cars to keep troopers on the roads.

Given the state’s tight budget, Joffer says all of the accidents have put his district in a pinch.