What: Fatal/Injury Where: Highway 281 & Rolette County Road 15
When: 10:06 PM CST on 10/12/2022
Road Conditions: Good
Weather Conditions: Dark/Cloudy/Windy
Crash Involvement: Two passenger vehicles
Type of Crash: Angle
Agencies Involved: Bureau of Indian Affairs, Rolette County Sheriff’s Office, Rolette Police Department, Rolla Police Department, Belcourt EMS, Rolla EMS, Belcourt Fire Department, Turtle Mountain Tribal Security and North Dakota Highway Patrol
Vehicle No. 1: 2021 Buick Enclave
Driver No. 1: Richard Casavant; 73 yo; Rolette, ND; Serious injuries
Restraints: seatbelt
Charges: pending
Vehicle No. 2: 2003 Toyota Tundra
Driver No. 2: Ernest Counts; Male; Minot, ND; 57 yo; Fatal Injuries
Passenger: Jasmine Counts; 30 yo; female; Dunseith, ND; Serious injuries
Passenger: Brandon Reese; 32 yo; Clinton Township, MI; Serious injuries
Restraints: no occupants had seatbelts on
Charges: pending
NARRATIVE: A Buick Enclave was northbound on Rolette County Road 15 approaching the intersection with Highway 281. A Toyota Tundra was westbound on Highway 281. The Buick disregarded the posted stop sign, entering the intersection and striking the Toyota. The Buick entered the northwest ditch, struck a light pole and came to final rest facing west. The Toyota also entered the northwest ditch, rolled and came to final rest on its passenger side facing west. The driver of the Buick was wearing his seatbelt and sustained non-life threatening injuries. The driver of the Buick was transported to Presentation Medical Center in Rolla and later to Trinity Medical Center in Minot. All occupants of the Toyota were not wearing seatbelts and ejected. The driver of the Toyota sustained fatal injuries and died on scene. The two passengers sustained serious injuries and were transported to Trinity Medical Center in Minot ND.
