Sisseton Man Arrested for DUI After Truck Partially Submerged in Lake

Pickup truck driven into Lake Poinsett, driver found to have nearly 3 times legal BAC limit

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

A 44-year-old Sisseton, South Dakota man was arrested for felony DUI and a parole violation after driving his pickup truck into Lake Poinsett on Sunday afternoon. Deputies found the truck with its front end submerged in the water and detected a strong odor of alcohol on the driver, who had a preliminary blood-alcohol content of 0.238 - nearly three times the legal limit.

Why it matters

Drunk driving incidents that result in vehicles ending up in bodies of water raise serious public safety concerns, as they can lead to injuries, fatalities, and environmental damage. This case highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing repeat offenders and the need for stricter enforcement and penalties around DUI laws.

The details

According to the Hamlin County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a location near the Stone Bridge on the north end of Lake Poinsett around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday after receiving a call about the partially submerged pickup truck. The driver, a 44-year-old man from Sisseton, was arrested at the scene and booked into the Brookings County Jail on charges of felony DUI and a parole violation.

  • The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 23, 2026.

The players

Hamlin County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that responded to the incident and arrested the driver.

44-year-old Sisseton man

The driver of the pickup truck who was arrested for felony DUI and a parole violation.

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What’s next

The 44-year-old driver will face a judge who will determine whether to allow him out on bail pending further legal proceedings.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the ongoing public safety risks posed by drunk drivers, especially those with prior offenses, and the need for stricter enforcement and penalties to deter such reckless behavior that endangers innocent lives.