PIERRE — A Pierre police officer has been arrested for driving under the influence. Pierre Police Captain Bryan Walz says Officer Jeremiah Erickson was off-duty when he was involved in a crash with a deer near the intersection of Garfield and Wells Avenues in Pierre on Friday. Erickson identified himself as a Pierre police officer when he reported the crash. A Hughes County Deputy responded to avoid any conflicts of interest. During the investigation, the deputy suspected alcohol use by Erickson and requested the South Dakota Highway Patrol to conduct a D-U-I investigation. Erickson bonded out of jail but was required to participate in the 24/7 sobriety program at the Hughes County Jail. Erickson then failed to report for 24/7 testing the next day on Saturday. He arrived at the jail Sunday and was taken into custody for violating his bond. Erickson remains in the Hughes County Jail and is on administrative leave with the Pierre Police Department.
