ATV Crashes Through Ice in Brookings County

Authorities warn of dangerous ice conditions as temperatures rise

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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An all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crashed through the ice on Oak Lake in Brookings County, South Dakota on Monday. Brookings County Sheriff's Deputies discovered the four-wheeler half-submerged in the water and determined they could not safely retrieve it until ice conditions improve.

Why it matters

With temperatures expected to reach near 60 degrees on Tuesday, the sheriff's office is warning residents about the dangers of venturing onto the ice, as conditions can change rapidly and ice thickness can vary across the lake's surface.

The details

Brookings County Sheriff's Deputies responded to the incident and found the ATV partially submerged in Oak Lake. They determined it was not safe to attempt a retrieval at that time due to the unstable ice conditions.

  • The incident occurred on Monday, February 17, 2026.
  • Temperatures are expected to reach a high near 60 degrees on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Brookings County Sheriff's Office

The local law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and is warning the public about the dangers of the ice.

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What’s next

The sheriff's office will monitor the ice conditions and attempt to retrieve the ATV once the ice is deemed safe enough.

The takeaway

This incident serves as a reminder for people to exercise extreme caution when venturing onto frozen lakes, as conditions can change rapidly and unexpectedly, posing a serious risk to public safety.