On early Tuesday morning, the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Department was called out to Garretson for a report of a female found collapsed in the alleyway south of the school. While initial reports suggested the person may be deceased, it was announced that the female was alive but in critical condition. Later, a white SUV was found partially submerged in Split Rock Creek off 5th Street, and was connected to the victim.
Reports indicated the female was traveling east on 5th Street but left the roadway and entered the creek under the bridge. After exiting the vehicle, the individual navigated more than five blocks of city streets in weather that had a "real feel" temperature below 0 degrees F.
While the time of the accident was not given, a report from the Garretson School District stated the individual was found on camera passing the school around 2:45 a.m.
A statement released later Tuesday morning by the Minnehaha County Sheriff's Department read, "On 2/4/25 at approximately 5:27 AM, the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a ‘man down call’ in Garretson, SD. An unresponsive female was located in an alley. During the investigation, a white SUV was located in Split Rock Creek. The SUV failed to navigate the curve in the road the [sic] crashed into the creek. The driver crawled out of the SUV and walked to the alley where they were found. The driver was transported to a local hospital for treatment. The crash is being investigated by the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office.
"In addition to the Minnehaha County Sheriff’s Office, the Garretson Fire Department, Garretson Ambulance, officials from the City of Garretson, Sioux Falls Fire Rescue and Minnehaha County Emergency Management all responded to the scene."
As of press time, the individual was in critical condition, and the family was requesting prayers for the woman's health and recovery. The accident is under investigation, and the story is developing.
UPDATE 2/4/25: Story updated to reflect vehicle's travel direction.
