David Jones Fashions for Men and Women Launches Benefit for Trooper injured in October Car Chase

            SIOUX FALLS — A local businessman whose store was damaged during a car chase last month has launched a fund drive for a state trooper critically injured in the incident.

            David Jones, owner of David Jones Fashions for Men and Women said he hopes to collect at least 10,000 signatures on a giant get-well card and raise at least $20,000 to benefit Trooper Andrew Steen, an eight-year veteran of the South Dakota Highway Patrol. Steen suffered severe head injuries when he was struck by a car driven by a 25-year-old woman during a car chase.

            “Men and women in law enforcement risk their lives every day to keep us safe. Trooper Steen was doing his job to protect the public and now we hope the public will come in, sign the get-well card for him and make a contribution,” Jones said. “We are also donating a percentage of our sales through the Christmas season to this effort. We’re also working with some other businesses in hopes they’ll match contributions to the fund.”

            During the chase in which Steen was injured, the woman crashed her vehicle through the front of Jones’ store, which has been in business five years. Law enforcement officials fired a number of shots to stop her vehicle. Jones’ store was closed for 14 days following the incident.

            “We’ve talked with Trooper Steen’s family. They’re aware of what we’re doing and appreciate our goal,” Jones said. “We plan to present the card and all contributions to his family on or around Christmas Eve.”

            David Jones Fashions for Men and Women is located at 5005 S. Western. Store hours are 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturdays. The store is closed on Sundays.

            “We’ll have a big banner out front and the card will be inside. We’re asking everyone to stop in when they’re out and about and show their support for Trooper Steen,” Jones said. “While our goal is to raise $20,000 in the next four weeks, it would be a real show of community spirit if we could raise even more than that.”

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