On this day, Aug. 16, in 2008, South Dakota Rep. Bill Janklow struck and killed a motorcyclist with his Cadillac Seville on a rural stretch of road in his home state. The crash led the Republican former governor to resign. He was later convicted of manslaughter charges. Janklow broke his hand and had a concussion after hitting the motorcycle while driving around 70 mph in a 55-mph zone. During trial, Janklow’s attorney argued that the congressman low blood sugar and was confused at the time of the accident. Janklow is also known for pardoning his son-in-law for marijuana possession and driving while intoxicated at the end of his fourth term as governor. Today, he is a lawyer and lobbyist.
