DUI Hit and Run

On August 3rd at around 3:40 a.m., police were dispatched to the helicopter pad at 353 Fairmont Boulevard for a report of a hit and run crash involving a passenger vehicle and a stationary helicopter. On arrival, witnesses had informed police that a silver passenger car was observed revving its engine in the area of the helicopter pad. The vehicle then accelerated onto the helicopter pad before striking the tail end of the helicopter parked there. The vehicle then backed up, turned around, and was then seen continuing eastbound through the parking lot of the hospital. Several minutes later, dispatch advised they had received a vehicle complaint in the area of 3660 Sturgis Road in which a silver passenger car was driving on deflated tires. Police located the vehicle driving southbound along Sturgis Road. The vehicle had damage to its roof and windshield, consistent with the damage caused to the helicopter. A traffic stop was conducted, and police made contact with the driver, identified as 53-year-old Carl Johnson of Rapid City. Police noted the strong smell of alcohol coming from Johnson’s person. Following a DUI investigation, it was determine that Johnson was too impaired to operate a motor vehicle. During a pre-tow inventory of the vehicle, police located an open alcohol container in the car. The original witness to the crash was brought to the scene and positively identified Johnson as the driver who hit the helicopter. Johnson was placed under arrest for DUI (2nd), Open Container in a Motor Vehicle, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Operating a Vehicle on Private Property without Permission. He was transported to the Pennington County Jail and police continue to investigate the incident.