Watertown students suffer minor injuries in Monday crash

At least two Watertown High School students received minor injuries in a Monday evening crash involving the vans intended for use in the homecoming parade.

The crash was around 10 p.m. Monday outside the city limits at 174th Street and 446th Avenue near Goose Lake.

“The front vehicle applied their breaks, and every van going back was forced to break,” said Codington County Chief Deputy Brent Solum.

Solum said three vans, which were driving in a "parade format", were involved in the crash and at least two students received minor injuries.

One of the injured students was taken to Prairie Lakes Hospital by their parents after the crash, and another student declined medical treatment.

This accident happened outside of school hours and was not part of any school activity, said Superintendent Jeff Danielsen.

“The only thing we are responsible for is our Homecoming Parade on Friday,” Danielsen said. “Outside of parade hours, it is parental provision.”

The vans used for the parade are not owned, insured or managed by the school district. They are volunteered and managed by community members, said Danielsen.

The drivers of the vans received citations for following too closely.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Watertown students suffer minor injuries in Monday crash