South Dakota
Jury deadlocks on manslaughter charge in fatal South Dakota crash
KENNEBEC, S.D. — A Lyman County jury reached a partial verdict Thursday in the second-degree manslaughter trial of Jan Bothma, convicting him on two misdemeanor charges but deadlocking on the most serious count.
Bothma, 32, was found guilty of reckless driving, a Class 1 misdemeanor, and failure to make a proper stop at a stop intersection, a Class 2 misdemeanor. However, on count 1 — second-degree manslaughter — the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision, resulting in a hung jury.
A hung jury means that despite deliberation, jurors could not agree on a verdict. As a result, a mistrial was declared on the manslaughter charge. A mistrial due to a hung jury is not considered a final judgment, so the state is allowed to retry the case.
Lyman County State’s Attorney Steve Smith confirmed that he intends to pursue a new trial on the manslaughter count.
After the verdict was read, Smith turned to the family of Chance Veurink and apologized, reassuring them that “this is not done.” Members of the Veurink family sat tear-struck in the courtroom, visibly emotional as the outcome was announced.
Bothma will be sentenced on July 17 for the two misdemeanor convictions. In South Dakota, a Class 1 misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in county jail and/or a $2,000 fine, while a Class 2 misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.
The charges stem from an April 25, 2024, collision near Presho at the intersection of 305th Avenue and South Dakota Highway 248. Authorities say Bothma failed to stop a Case IH sprayer at a posted stop sign, causing a crash that killed 33-year-old Chance Veurink, of Vivian. Bothma, who is originally from South Africa and was in the area on a work visa for a local farming operation, was operating the equipment at the time of the crash.
In closing arguments, defense attorney George Johnson emphasized the state’s burden to prove recklessness beyond a reasonable doubt, noting that under the jury instructions, a conviction for second-degree manslaughter required a finding of reckless driving. Johnson argued that Bothma’s actions amounted to “imperfect logic and a bad choice,” describing them as negligent, but not reckless. Prosecutors countered that Bothma made a conscious decision to take a reckless risk by running the stop sign, despite understanding the potential consequences.
Jurors began deliberating shortly before noon Thursday. By late afternoon, they informed the court they could not come to an agreement on the manslaughter charge, prompting the court to declare a mistrial on that count.
The trial took place over four days at the Lyman County Courthouse, with a jury composed of eight men and four women.
The Mitchell Republic was unable to obtain comment from the defense team, the defendant, or his wife, who was with him in the courtroom, following the verdict.
Jennifer Leither joined the Mitchell Republic in April 2024. She was raised in Sioux Falls, S.D. where she attended Lincoln High School. She continued her education at South Dakota State University, graduating in December 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. During her time in college, Leither worked as a reporter for the campus newpaper, The Collegian. She also interned for Anderson Publications in Canistota, SD the summer of 2000. Upon graduation, Leither continued to reside in the Sioux Falls area and worked as a freelance writer for the Argus Leader for a number of years.
/jennifer-leither
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 21, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 21 drawing
01-36-43-56-58, Mega Ball: 07
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 21 drawing
01-04-40-47-58, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Clear Lake businessman Tim Begalka is running for re-election to the South Dakota Senate for District 4. Begalka served two terms in the State House and two terms in the Senate.
He and his wife Rhonda live in Clear Lake. Their have three adult children also live in the state.
Begalka has owned Sodak Gardens, a local greenhouse and nursery, for the past 30 years. The business was started by his late father Leon Begalka in 1954. Begalka is a graduate of Clear Lake High School and South Dakota State University, and is a fifth generation Deuel County resident.
While in the legislature, Begalka served on the agriculture, education and commerce committees and was vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee. In his release he said he has always looked out for the “little guy,” whether that be an individual, family, township, small-town, farm, business or school. He is a defender of property rights, the 2nd amendment and the right to life, he said in a release.
“While in Pierre, I frequently witnessed the bigger businesses, schools, and government entities try to take advantage of the little guys,” Begalka said in a release. “The big guys already have more money, power, numbers, and lobbyists. The little guys need a Senator with a backbone to stand up for them. That’s what I promise to continue to do, represent the citizens of District 4.”
He has never lost an election, and his winning philosophy, he said, is “Always tell the truth, and try to be nice to everyone”.
Begalka will be on the ballot for the June 2 Republican Primary. In order to vote in that primary, you need to be a registered Republican in District 4 by May 18th. District 4 includes all of Deuel, Grant, and Hamlin Counties, greater Codington, southeastern Roberts, and all of Clark County except the southwest corner.
The South Dakota Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at April 20, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from April 20 drawing
09-17-36-47-64, Powerball: 26, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto America numbers from April 20 drawing
05-07-31-41-43, Star Ball: 07, ASB: 02
Check Lotto America payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from April 20 drawing
19-37-40-41-53, Bonus: 02
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $100 or less: Can be claimed at any South Dakota Lottery retailer.
- Prizes of $101 or more: Must be claimed from the Lottery. By mail, send a claim form and a signed winning ticket to the Lottery at 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
- Any jackpot-winning ticket for Dakota Cash or Lotto America, top prize-winning ticket for Lucky for Life, or for the second prizes for Powerball and Mega Millions must be presented in person at a Lottery office. A jackpot-winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket must be presented in person at the Lottery office in Pierre.
When are the South Dakota Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT on Tuesday and Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 9:38 p.m. CT daily.
- Lotto America: 9:15 p.m. CT on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Dakota Cash: 9 p.m. CT on Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 10:15 p.m. CT daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Dakota editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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