ALEXANDRIA -- An Alexandria man who was the driver in a motorcycle crash that killed his passenger has been charged with careless driving and driving without a motorcycle license.
Sean Baas was the driver in the May 3 crash that resulted in the death of Jorden Hanson, of Woonsocket, who was the passenger on the motorcycle Baas was driving.
Hanson County State's Attorney Jim Davies told The Daily Republic on Monday that it took several months for charges to be filed due to the length of the investigation by law enforcement, which was not completed until October.
Baas lost control of the motorcycle near the intersection of state Highway 38 and Riverside Road, a few miles east of Mitchell. Hanson was separated from the motorcycle in the crash and slid under the driver's side front dual tires of a semi-trailer, which caused fatal injuries, according to the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Baas was also separated from the motorcycle and suffered serious, but not life-threatening, injuries. Both were wearing helmets.
Careless driving and driving without a motorcycle license are both misdemeanors with a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.
