Wessington Springs superintendent placed on leave after DUI

WESSINGTON SPRINGS — The superintendent of the Wessington Springs School District has been placed on administrative leave following two drunken driving arrests in less than a year’s time.

The Wessington Springs Board of Education issued a statement regarding Lance Witte after an executive session at its Monday meeting.

“On behalf of the Wessington Springs Board of Education, we would like to make the following statement. Mr. Witte is on administrative leave for the next 30 to 45 days and since this is a personnel matter, our attorney has advised us not to discuss the situation at this time.”

Witte was recently arrested for driving under the influence in Hanson County. The arrest came three days after he pleaded guilty to driving with a revoked license, which stemmed from a previous DUI conviction in December.

Witte remains the superintendent of the school district, but district officials declined to say Tuesday if he is on paid or unpaid leave.

Board President Tate Von Eye said the board is unsure what its next move is regarding Witte’s employment. At this time, he said the board will not discuss the matter further in public.

In addition to his DUIs, Witte also was involved in a vehicle accident on Aug. 9, a quartermile west of U.S. Highway 281 on 221st Street. The accident happened four days after Witte’s most recent DUI arrest.

The Jerauld County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 5:19 a.m. Preliminary reports indicate alcohol was not a factor.

According to a report from the Jerauld County Sheriff’s Office, Witte told law enforcement he drifted off and hit a bridge. The vehicle came to rest 15 feet below the bridge and all airbags deployed.

Jerauld County Ambulance took Witte to a hospital. His vehicle was totaled.

The accident remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office.

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