Stolen Vehicle and Accident in Sioux Falls

Sergeant H.L. ‘Skip’ Benz

Sioux Falls, South Dakota: On 04-11-2014 at about 2:00 PM, a 2001 Dodge Dakota Pickup, 4-door, red in color was reported stolen from the 300 block of W. 25^th Street.  Shortly after that report, another report was received of a red pick-up driving recklessly near the intersection of 26^th St. and Sycamore Ave.  At approximately 2:19 PM, an officer spotted the stolen pickup near 26^th St. and Yeager Ave.  The officer attempted to stop the stolen vehicle at 26^th St. and Cliff Ave.  The driver of the stolen pick-up stopped for a moment and then went westbound on 24^th St. from Cliff Ave. at a high rate of speed.  The officer pursued the stolen vehicle for a short distance but then self-terminated the pursuit due to the excessive speeds and reckless behavior of the driver.  Officers near the intersection of 24^th St. and S.2^nd Ave observed the stolen pick-up drive through the grass at McKennan Park and turn northbound on S. 2^nd Ave.  The driver ran the stop sign at 18^th St. and 2^nd Ave. at an estimated speed of 70 mph.  Officers lost sight of the vehicle.

     Witnesses reported that the driver of the stolen pick-up ran the red lights at 14^th St. and 2^nd Ave., 11^th St. and 2^nd Ave. and 10^th St. and 2^nd Ave at an estimated speed of 70 – 90 mph.  There were no police officers pursuing the vehicle.  The driver of the stolen pick-up lost control of the vehicle on the curve north of 10^th St. on 2^nd Ave.  The vehicle skidded out of control and struck the north side of the 1^st National Bank at 100 S. Phillips Ave.  The driver was arrested by officers as he was climbing out of the wreckage.  The driver was identified as David James Winters, age 24 of Rapid City, SD.  He suffered non-life threatening injuries and was transported to Avera-McKennan Hospital for treatment.  After treatment, he will be lodged in the Minnehaha County Jail for Theft of a Motor Vehicle, Aggravated Eluding, DWI 1^st Offense and numerous traffic violations.  There was minimal damage to the building and there were no other reported injuries to motorists or pedestrians.