A tragic accident occurred on I-229 near mile marker 9 in Sioux Falls at approximately 1:05 p.m. on January 9, 2025. A contractor working on a large tower light pole caused it to lean and ultimately fall across the northbound lanes, striking a passing vehicle. The driver, a 60-year-old male from Sioux Falls operating a 2017 Dodge Ram ProMaster, sustained fatal injuries despite wearing a seat belt. The names of those involved have not been released pending family notification. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is currently investigating the incident [070787ac].
This incident adds to the growing concerns regarding road safety and infrastructure maintenance, as it highlights the potential dangers posed by construction work near active traffic areas. Authorities are urging contractors to implement stricter safety measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The investigation will focus on the circumstances that led to the light pole's collapse and whether proper protocols were followed during the construction work [070787ac].
In a related context, on December 12, 2024, a New York State Trooper was injured in a three-car crash on Interstate 81 southbound in Watertown, Jefferson County. The trooper was transported to Smartian Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries following the incident, which involved two state police vehicles and a civilian car. The ongoing investigation into this incident underscores the importance of road safety during adverse weather conditions [13bea342].
Additionally, a police cruiser was involved in a separate crash in Dayton, Ohio, marking the fourth such incident in the past month. The Dayton Police Department is actively working to address the issue of awareness among drivers, emphasizing the need for defensive driving courses [f66538f0].