South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg has been impeached by the state’s House of Representatives.
According to CNN, the House voted 36-31 in favor of impeachment over Ravnsborg’s conduct following a car crash that left a pedestrian dead in 2020.
Breaking: South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg has been impeached by the State House of Representatives. The vote, 36-31 in favor of impeachment. Now the matter moves to the Senate Chamber.
— Scott Engen (@Scott_Engen) April 12, 2022
The outlet noted Ravnsborg initially reported to the police that he had hit a deer.
He allegedly discovered Joe Boever’s body the following morning upon returning to the scene of the crash, as CNN reported.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem (R) reacted to the impeachment on Twitter, saying, “Today, the House of Representatives did the right thing for the people of South Dakota and for Joe Boever’s family.”
Today, the House of Representatives did the right thing for the people of South Dakota and for Joe Boever's family.
— Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) April 12, 2022
Ravnsborg said in a statement he respects “the process but I look forward to the Senate trial where I believe I will be vindicated.”
Statement for South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg: "The House of Representatives voted and I respect the process but I look forward to the Senate trial where I believe I will be vindicated."
— Scott Engen (@Scott_Engen) April 12, 2022
Republican Rep. Will Mortenson, who introduced the articles of impeachment, said when “we’re dealing with the life of one of your citizens, I think that weighed heavily on everyone.”
In August 2021, Ravnsborg pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors related to the crash.
He was required to pay a $500 fine for both misdemeanors.
Attorney Timothy Rensch said at the time, “Just because he’s the attorney general doesn’t mean that accidents can’t happen.”
He added, “Just because he’s the attorney general and is involved here does not mean that the fix is in and there’s some great conspiracy not to hold him accountable.”
Joseph Boever’s widow, Jennifer, said the attorney general’s actions are “incomprehensible, inexcusable and cannot be forgiven.”
Noem previously expressed her disappointment with how “this process was handled by prosecutors,” adding she was “outraged at the result of today’s plea hearing and sentencing.”
She continued, “Ravnsborg has not accepted responsibility for the death of Joseph Boever and did not even appear in court today to face the charges or the Boever family.”
