TOWER CITY — The North Dakota Highway Patrol says one person died and three others were seriously injured in a collision with a tow truck Saturday night.
According to the NDHP, a flatbed tow truck experienced a mechanical issue and was stopped in the right lane of westbound I-94 about 2 miles east of Tower City. The driver, Mario Butler, 43, Minot, called a tow truck but received a ride from the scene by a passing motorist prior to the tow truck's arrival, leaving his vehicle unattended.
A GMC Yukon was also travelling westbound on I-94 and struck the rear of the tow truck around 9 p.m. Both vehicles came to rest in the ditch.
The front seat passenger, Kelli Hagerott, 43, Bismarck, was pronounced dead on the scene. The driver, Timothy Hagerott, 42, Bismarck and two teenage passengers were all transported to Sanford Hospital in Fargo for serious injuries. Timothy Hagerott is in stable condition, but both girls are in critical condition.
The crash remains under investigation.