Filing suggests Ravnsborg crash victim may have committed suicide

July 10 (UPI) -- A defense attorney for South Dakota Attorney General Jason Ravnsborg alleges the man who died after being struck by the official's car last year may have intentionally committed suicide.

Rapid City defense attorney Tim Rensch filed a six-page motion Friday in the Sixth Circuit Magistrate Court requesting the release of Joe Boever's psychiatric and psychological records relating to the deceased man's "suicidal ideation."

Boever died on the evening of Sept. 12, 2020, after being struck by Ravnsborg's car on Highway 14, near Highmore, S.D. Prosecutors allege Ravnsborg had been on his phone while driving, but had put it down about a minute before the crash.

Rensch's filing alleges Boever had a history of alcoholism and prescription drug use that contributed to a "broadening depressive streak" that at least one member of Boever's family, cousin Barnabas Nemec, believes contributed to the man's death.

"I believe with a very high degree of confidence Joe committed suicide by throwing himself into the path of a speeding car," the filing quotes Nemec as telling law enforcement officers after the crash.

The filing also alleges a bottle of Lorazepem, an anti-anxiety drug known to cause suicidal ideation, was found in Boever's truck, and law enforcement officers stated there should have been "many more" pills than what was found in the bottle.

Rensch is also arguing that evidence from the scene of the crash suggests Boever was struck while walking in the roadway, not on the shoulder of the highway, as is alleged by prosecutors.

Ravnsborg is scheduled to go on trial Aug. 26. He has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor charges of operating a vehicle while using a mobile or electronic device, a lane driving violation for driving outside of his lane and careless driving.