Law

Lawsuit accuses BIA of causing death at Pine Ridge

A lawsuit in federal court accuses the Bureau of Indian Affairs of negligence for the death of Nathan Vaughn Dreamer, 36, on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

Norma Blacksmith, Dreamer's mother and administrator of his estate, says BIA police officers caused a crash that killed Dreamer in February 2002. She is seeking $900,000 in compensation.

Dreamer was being pursued by police officers when the crash occurred. The BIA says Dreamer assumed risk when he fled from the officers.

Get the Story:
Mother claims tribal cops negligent in son’s death (The Rapid City Journal 3/27)