Sioux Falls woman injured after being dragged behind car

Two Sioux Falls women were seriously injured after a car crash that began with an attempted assault.

Lt. Dave McIntire of the Sioux Falls Police Department said the incident began near Bennett Street and Cliff Avenue shortly after 5 p.m. on Thursday. A 45-year-old woman got into a car with Staci Lynn Wilkins, 46, whom she had recently met, and the two began driving, McIntire said.

As the women were driving, Wilkins mistook the victim for someone she had "beef" with and threatened to assault her, McIntire said. As the victim tried to leave the car while it was still in motion, she ended up being dragged behind the car for a short distance, he said.

Wilkins allegedly accelerated the car as the woman was being dragged. She then swerved and struck a wooden electrical pole and was ejected from the car, McIntire said.

Both women suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to the hospital, McIntire said.

Wilkins was charged with DWI, aggravated assault, reckless driving and driving with a suspended license. 

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