Nick Nemec is a cousin of Joe Boever, the man Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg struck and killed with his car Saturday night. Yesterday Nick Nemec went out to the scene of the fatal crash to see if he could make sense of what happened. Nemec told that story in the comment section here last night.
KELO Radio finds Nemec’s story worth promoting to headline news; so do I:
Having read through the comments I feel I must clear up some of the speculation. Today, 9-15-2020, I went to the accident scene to see it for myself and get a better handle on the events surrounding my cousin Joe’s death.
The accident happened just into a 65mph zone shortly after it had transitioned from 45mph, a little over 1/4 mile west of the junction of US14 and SD47.
At the time the brakes were applied (clearly visible due to tire skid marks) the right hand tires of the car were well onto the shoulder of the road. This stretch of US14 has wide paved shoulders with rumble strips at the white line.
I stepped off the tire skid marks and they went on for over 200 feet before there were two parallel blood skid marks on the paved shoulder. This first blood marks were about 6″ wide and 6′-8′ long. There was then a skip for about 20 feet before a wider blood skid mark closer to the edge of the shoulder that was about 1′ wide and 20′ long. There was then another skip of about 20′ until a dried pool of blood in the grass on the edge of the road.
The pool of blood was 2′ from the edge of the pavement (I measured with a tape measure) the grass here had been mowed late this summer and had regrown to 8″ tall (I measured it). This was the very edge of the grass and the ground was nearly level with the shoulder of the road at this point, the ditch slope had not really begun yet. Black flies were buzzing in the air just above the blood pool.
As I stood there a flatbed truck drove by carrying a red Ford Taurus with a huge hole in the passenger side of the windshield. The truck turned into the SD DOT yard near the speed limit sign and drove into the shop and the overhead door quickly closed. Highway patrolmen and other authority figures immediately surrounded my vehicle as I drove up to the building and parked. I requested permission to photograph the windshield of the vehicle and was denied. A photograph of the red Ford I saw being hauled into the DOT shed in Highmore that was taken when it was still in Pierre, is on the Keloland TV web site.
The HP told me they were doing another accident investigation and needed the red Ford back in Highmore. I eventually asked permission to leave the DOT yard and permission was granted. I ran some errands in Highmore and left town less than an hour later, by that time US14 was reduced to one lane with a pilot car leading traffic through the accident area, the scene was being investigated for the second time in three days. I saw traffic cones marking stuff and new paint marks of a different color on the road. I don’t know how long the road was reduced to one lane but a friend told my brother Victor that FBI agents were seen on the scene later that afternoon [link added; Nick Nemec, comment, Dakota Free Press, 2020.09.15].
Skid marks starting in the shoulder, significant amounts of blood on and close to the road, law enforcement surrounding an innocent citizen, investigators painting new marks on an already investigated and cleared accident scene… even as he reels from grief at the loss of his cousin, Nemec provides a valuable piece of independent journalism on an investigation of keen public interest as we wait for the state’s top cop to take a leave of absence to make clear that he will exercise no influence in the investigation of the death he caused Saturday night in Hyde County.
Condolences to those who were friends and relatives to Joe Boever, He was probably just going back to be with his most prized possession…his pickup, when he was hit and run.
Here a link to 2011 Ford Taurus description event data recording which states a “recording time of 30 seconds or less”:
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/669316/Ford-Taurus-2011.html?page=7#manual
If the SDHP started or test drove the vehicle after the tow… without pulling the data, it is now scrubbed.
The owners manual also reminds the owner (And everyone else of us who drive and unfortunately sometimes are distracted or drousy or drugged…OTC or herbal or prescription or illicit…every one of us has at one time momentarily wandered off onto the shoulder of the road):
“WARNING: Driving while distracted can result in loss of vehicle
control, accident and injury. Ford strongly recommends that you
use extreme caution when using any device or feature that may take
your focus off the road. Your primary responsibility is the safe
operation of your vehicle.
We recommend against the use of any handheld device while driving
and that you comply with all applicable laws.”
The broken out windshield shows a major impact to the victim…Kind of hard to not recognize a human being in that case. What happened in the drivers compartment immediately after the impact is paramount evidence. Plenty of time available to distort the facts.
As difficult as this is for Nick Nemec and family, for him to step up and see for himself what is actually going on there speaks to his character. It takes someone with grit and also someone who has a clear vision of how corrupt this state is, to doggedly pursue answers. All of that is what this will take to bring justice for their cousin’s brutal killing. There are way to many unanswered questions regarding the whole episode that I hope he finds the answers to.
Cory is correct, the attorney general must stand down immediately.
Presence of edgeline (immediately outside the driving lane) rumble strips is important. They would have alerted someone looking down at texts or reading emails that the car had drifted out of its lane onto the shoulder. The natural reaction to the sound and vibrations from rumble strips would be to look up at what was beyond the hood of the car. This segment of 14 is not particularly busy at night, and it might have been tempting to catch up on reading the mountain of emails, texts a top state official receives while flooring the accelerator pedal.
All 2011 Ford Taurus cars came equipped with EBS brakes that are designed not to lock up and skid.
It would be inaccurate to say that Anti Lock Brakes (ABS) would not leave any skid marks. They actually do leave skid marks but they are not so prominent that is they are light. In addition to that the marks do not occur as a solid line but as a dotted line which happens due intermittent working of brakes in ABS.
Ravnsborg has not even been put on leave. Noem and Craig Price should just stop with their stupid press conferences when they’re not saying anything.
If a Native American had run over someone he’d be sitting in jail. SDs AG is still working like nothing happened.
https://arstechnica.com/cars/2020/09/arizona-prosecutes-uber-safety-driver-but-not-uber-for-fatal-2018-crash/
Uber corporation gets off, safety driver sentenced. This accident happened at night.
My heart truly goes out to the Boever family and friends. This tragic loss must now be compounded (and ironically, overshadowed) by political circus.
Disclaimer: that is not an attack or criticism of Cory or of any coverage of this tragedy that includes the element of a political figure – just my recognition of the misfortune of ti all.
I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences to Joe Boever’s family in solidarity with every one who made similar expressions of sympathy. I am pleased that Nick Nemec had the presence of mind to conduct his own reconstruction of the tragic incident that cost Joe his life. The scenario of failure to step up and take responsibility at the time of the incident , instead choosing to flea the scene leaves little doubt in my humble opinion that malfeasance occurred. If the norm for politicians who commit crimes is followed, the cover-up is well underway.
“ There was then another skip of about 20′ until a dried pool of blood in the grass on the edge of the road.
The pool of blood was 2′ from the edge of the pavement (I measured with a tape measure)”
Wouldn’t this indicate that the body was moved at the time of the accident?
“ There was then another skip of about 20′ until a dried pool of blood in the grass on the edge of the road.
The pool of blood was 2′ from the edge of the pavement (I measured with a tape measure)”
Wouldn’t that indicate that either the body had been moved at the time of the accident or Mr Boever was still alive and crawled to where the body was found?
What Jerry said.
Also, there’s absolutely nothing whatsoever about this whole thing that smells like a fish left in a garbage can for 3 days in high summer, is there? Nope, nothing to see here.
I feel for the family. Death of loved ones is hard no matter how it happens. How Nick had the presence of mind to do this investigation, I don’t know.
The cover up is being built, I expect it will all be swept clear in a couple of weeks.
The Nemec brothers and other family members have my utmost, deepest sympathies and prayers. They are to be highly respected by fellow South Dakotans who are so naturally skeptical of state-run investigations. The state’s handling of past well-known crisis situations like EB-5, and the Burke family murders always seem so hush-hush when a prominent GOP official is involved. No matter Noem’s saying “We want an extra layer of daylight on this,” it reeks of making sure everyone is speaking off the same script before speaking again. The Nemec’s exposure of their role and findings to Cory and other press adds far more sanitizing daylight to this case than Noem could if she got up in front of the cameras every half hour. Thanks, Nemecs, and you Cory, for what you’ve done.
I get the feeling the Attorney General will soon see what the under side of the bus looks like.
Typically, one hits the brakes when one sees one is about to, or just after one has hit something/one. If that impact then occurs, the result may be, as the vehicle is slowing, the impacted thing/person is (in this case – obviously) “stuck” to the vehicle (the windshield?) rather to thrown clear and is deposited on the side of the road when the vehicle comes to a stop (skid marks end). Just based on the relationships of the physical marks described. Not trying to be gruesome.
As with most such investigations, things are disclosed along the way. In the case of this one, which appeared hinky from the start, Nick’s walk along the site may prove to be more illuminatory than anything the state releases.
Lanny
The skip would indicate move otherwise smears etc. look at that windshield. I’ve hit deer, Smears until final resting place……
I’ve hit deer on right side that ended up breaking window on left and visa versa.,,,,……I can say, I have never hit a deer or critter, then went back the next day to “look” odd behavior on his part, especially how busy this guy claims to be………you hit something you look and locate, the extent of the damage alone says something is near by…….in addition safety hazard if “deer” laying near road wounded or dead.
And my condolences to all friends and family
How long would the body have stayed in the windshield before hitting the ground? Mere seconds? So basically what you’re saying is that the first two smears of blood are moving bounce smears? I just hope Joe Boever didn’t suffer.
Forget the alcohol part which SDs wimpy AG is so quick to claim he wasn’t drinking. Notice he doesn’t say he wasn’t distracted? The AG was obviously recklessly driving, distracted and probably speeding by being on the shoulder. Ravnsborg panicked like Ted Kennedy.
The last thing I want to do is go back to a scene of a stressful traumatic car accident the next day. Who does that?
I hope the family is attorney up and doing their own investigation thru independent resources. With that being said, may you find the peace and answers you are looking for.
One journalistic weakness of Nick Nemec’s report: that one line of hearsay at the end. Arielle Zionts of the Rapid City Journal followed up by calling the FBI and asking what’s up. The FBI tells Zionts they aren’t involved in the crash investigation.
Usually a law enforcement officer is placed on administrative leave after killing someone.
Donald, don’t forget: Nick was a Marine. He’s a kind and gentle man, but I get the impression he’s also tough as nails.
FBI is not involved in a local event unless they are asked to be involved. My observation is why when AG returns to the scene in the morning and instead of finding deer finds a body close to the road. Don’t you try to resuscitate the individual? Don’t you call for an ambulance? Don’t you call law enforcement and wait to find out if this person is going to be ok. A body on the side of the road does not indicate death to me. Even if they look badly injured it does not mean death.
Right. Here is the undisputed fact: a couple of days ago, the Attorney General of the State of South Dakota killed somebody. Here is another undisputed fact: a criminal investigation is underway to determine whether the Attorney General should be charged with vehicular homicide or manslaughter. Here is a very troubling undisputed fact: after the Attorney General confessed to his friend of 25 years , the Sheriff, that he had killed somebody, rather than investigate a homicide and take his statement, he told the man who he knew had just killed somebody to go home, split the scene, we’ll talk about all this later. So why is this man still on the job as the State’s top law enforcement officer? Can you take a minute out of being the new darling of Fox News and answer that question, Governor Noem?
Why does the sheriff still report for duty? Neither the attorney general or this flunky of a sheriff guy, should be drawing a paycheck. Both should be suspended for serious charges.
Jerry exactly because technically he loaned his car out which is indirectly accessory, or directly if he knew. He was hoodwinked and out played I believe and talked in or out of doing his job
A prolonged unpacking of the incident with some 244 critical comments.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0zdMnkrKSAs
By returning to the crime scene and “discovering” the body, Ravnsborg has contaminated the scene. Any evidence that would suggest he was near the body that night can now be explained away because he was there the next day. Reasonable doubt.
Mr. Hanna, have AG Ravnsborg and Sheriff Volek really known each other for 25 years? What’s their past connection?
For the record, Volek does not appear on the list of sheriffs Ravnsborg named as endorsers of his 2018 campaign for AG.
Thanks, DaveFN! Let’s embed that video!
One problem: video dude opens by citing the Washington Post instead of local media.
I did a google search of deer/car accidents and every time the window was breached like Jason’s windshield was, the animal was in the car or partly in the car. Drawing on Brady Folken’s death by the state at Starr Academy, i would suggest the family get their own autopsy done. In Brady’s case the autopsy done by SD was notably false. Im guessing it was directed by SD “Risk Management” to make sure the state had no culpability. Dr Lars Aanning had Brady’s body sent to someplace in Nebraska which 100% contradicted the State’s autopsy. Contact Lars for help
Dana Hanna asks:
And Cory points out that
This raises the question about how the SD Constitution handles removal of an elected officer. According to Article 16, it appears that the Attorney General must be impeached:
If this correct, it looks as if the Governor has no authority to suspend, place on administrative leave, or remove an Attorney General, rather, that power seems to be vested in the House of Representatives with a trial by the State Senate.
Then Ravsbutt should voluntarily take a leave until this is resolved.
The KELO report says, “The medical examination of Boever’s body is being conducted in Ramsey County Minnesota because the state’s pathologist wasn’t available.”
That’s good news. (Ramsey County is St. Paul.) I’ve actually witnessed an autopsy conducted as part of a Ramsey County investigation and it was all very thorough and professional. The facilities and testing equipment are very good. Their report should be trustworthy, though the SDGOP will certainly try their damnest to spin it like an EF 8 tornado.
SDs legislators need to do the right thing and exercise their power by placing Ravnsborg on leave. Call your legislators everyone. Ravnsborg should not be working while under investigation.
Question I want answered…Reports are the AG drove to the sheriff to report the body. I’m guessing the personal car was left and he was driven back to the scene by the sheriff. Did the chief of staff stay with the body. I’m assuming they drove separate so that once the sheriff’s personal car was given back the AG had a ride home.
I’ve hit 3 deer in my life, all 3 at night, all 3 I knew they wer deer. Every time I stopped to check for the animal and the vehicle damage. 2 dead deer on the edge of the road, the other we couldn’t find after 10 min of searching by the 4 people in the car. 2 totaled cars. Every time when looking at the damage at night it was obvious by the amt of fur in damaged areas that I hit a deer.
Obituary
Joe Boever 55, passed away in an accident on Saturday, September 12, 2020. His Memorial Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2020 in St. Mary Catholic Church, Dell Rapids. There will be a Rosary prayed at 10:00 a.m. prior to the mass. Inurnment will be in the St. Mary Cemetery, Dell Rapids.
Joseph Paul Boever was born on October 1, 1964 in Brookings, SD to John W and Dorothy Boever. He was the fourth of seven siblings, but because of his precociousness, he was never lost in the crowd. Joe grew up on a farm near Brookings and graduated from Brookings High School in 1982. He went on to college at the University of South Dakota and graduated with a nursing degree. Joe was united in marriage to Jennifer Mohr in 2017.
Over the years, Joe worked at various nursing homes. His gentle personality allowed him to make a special connection with the elderly. In addition to nursing, he worked as a handyman. Like his grandfathers, Joe was a talented gardener and could grow just about anything. He propagated many Jade plants for his family and rescued neglected plants wherever he went. Joe always had an insatiable curiosity. He loved learning and was a voracious reader. In fact, Joe taught himself how to read at the age of five; something his family discovered when they found him reading encyclopedias. Joe had a quick wit and dry humor that he would use when least expected. He loved his wife and family as we loved him and his passing leaves a hole in all our hearts.
Joe is survived by his wife Jennifer, mother Dorothy; siblings Larry, Ann (Bob), Katie (Steve), Jane (Nic), Will (Cathy), and Tony (Holly); many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his father, John W., his grandparents John P. & Geraldine Boever and Joseph & Ruth Seiler; and many aunts & uncles.
@Jerry, the sheriff in Highmore has had his job too long. He probably protested going the night of the accident. As someone from Highmore, some people say he is worthless.