Janklow speeding in fatality, police say

The Charlotte Observer ^ | Thu, Aug. 21, 2003 | CARSON WALKER

[tdadams]

Rep. Bill Janklow was driving an estimated 70 to 75 mph when he ran a stop sign and his Cadillac collided with a motorcycle, according to an accident report released Wednesday by the South Dakota Highway Patrol.

The speed limit on the road is 55 mph.

Prosecutors are weighing whether to bring criminal charges against the former four-term governor, who has exerted enormous political power over South Dakota politics for nearly 30 years.

Highway Patrol officials said they would forward the results of the report to Moody County prosecutor William Ellingson, who will decide whether to bring charges.

Janklow's son, Russ Janklow, said Wednesday his father was expecting to be prosecuted. Possible charges range from second-degree manslaughter to a misdemeanor such as careless driving.

The Saturday afternoon crash killed Randolph Scott, 55, whose Harley-Davidson collided with Janklow's Cadillac at the intersection of two paved roads near the Minnesota line.

Janklow's car spun around and ended up in a ditch at the edge of a soybean field. Scott was thrown from the motorcycle and landed in a soybean field; he died at the scene.

The accident report said the motorcycle was going 55 mph to 60 mph at the time of the crash.

According to the report, Janklow said he had to swerve to avoid another vehicle. However, no other vehicles are listed in the report.

The report also says neither man had been drinking.

Scott was not wearing a motorcycle helmet, but that is not required in South Dakota.

Janklow, 63, injured his head, fractured his hand and was unconscious for a short time after the crash, his son said.

Shortly after the crash, he complained of a bad headache and seemed confused, his son said. Family members encouraged him to see a doctor, but he refused until the next day.

Janklow underwent more medical tests Tuesday that apparently found some bleeding on the brain near his right temple, his son said. It wasn't immediately clear how severe the injuries are.

Janklow has made no public comments about the crash, other than to issue a prepared statement Sunday in which he expresses anguish over the accident.

The prosecutor in neighboring Minnehaha County, Dave Nelson, said he can remember only a few cases when a driver in his county was charged with second-degree manslaughter after a fatal traffic accident.

[Trust but Verify]

Stick a fork in him. He's done. What's the formula for replacing him in Congress? Is the governor of SD a Republican?

[DM1]

yes i believe that the Gov of SD is a Repub. although i am not sure if a congressman is appointed after something like this or if there is a special election called

[Drango]

Stick a fork in him.

and stick him in jail...

[Consort]

...and fine him for driving a Cadillac-while-in-office.

[DadOfFive]

Gov. Mike Rounds could appoint former Rep. John Thune, perhaps putting him in a better position to run again Tommy Daschle next year.
</speculation>

[SoDak]

Yes, like all elected officials except our odious Senators, he's GOP. I am under the impression that he'll appoint someone with the approval of the legislature, which is also overwhelmingly GOP.

[DadOfFive]

again=against

[Wolfie]

He's done.

Don't bet on it. Powerful politicians can get a free ride.

Tennessee senator dodges felony charge in fatal hit-and-run accident

[SoDak]

I think Thune would rather focus 100% on next year, and would ask him not to appoint. I only hope that Rounds avoids appointing an old warhorse like Pressler, because a little filly named Stephanie Herseth wants that seat, and I fear she'd beat Pressler. Herseth is a kinder, gentler Hildabeast, and I fear ever having her get elected, because it will be mega-tough to unelect the little bedbug. I'm hoping for one of the bright young GOP'ers who have surfaced in the last couple of years in the legislature, such as McCaulley.

[Dog Gone]

Governors may not appoint Representatives.

[DadOfFive]

Maybe he could appoint Mark Barnett. Good stout pubbie, could have been the Gov if he hadn't been baited into the mudslinging campaign a couple years ago. Would probably be a smart move, a former AG (law abider) replacing Janklow (whom I like, but a bit of a rebel).

[DadOfFive]

Okay. What happens then?

[SoDak]

I hope not. Not that Barnett isn't a good man, he's a very good guy and staunch conservative, but he's already kind of long in the tooth. He also looks cranky on TV. He makes people think of the guy who serves foreclosure notices to poor old widows. I'd rather have someone in their thirties, someone who could challenege Tim Johnson in 2008. New blood.

[Dog Gone]

A special election would have to be called, or the seat could remain vacant until the next general election.

I doubt Janklow will resign unless he is convicted of a crime and sentenced to prison. And I doubt he will get prison time for this, although it's certainly possible.

However, his political career is over, and I can't imagine that he'll seek re-election.

[buccaneer81]

However, his political career is over, and I can't imagine that he'll seek re-election.

I can imagine those words being spoken in Massachusetts in July, 1969. And look what happened.

[Dog Gone]

You've probably noticed by now that Republicans are held to a different standard.

[buccaneer81]

True.Those of us in the heartland know the difference between right and wrong, regardless of party affiliation.

[Trust but Verify]

Koella is dead, Wolfie. He wasn't an old man. Maybe God's way of even-ing the score.

[Rudder]

I noticed that Janklow was not wearing a helmet.