On Wednesday, November 9th, at approximately 6:30 p.m., a ND Highway Patrol (NDHP) patrol car was struck westbound on I-94 MM 260 at Jamestown.
The NDHP Trooper had witnessed a semi jackknife at this location and the semi was partially blocking the roadway. The trooper had parked on scene of this crash with the emergency lights activated on the patrol vehicle. Shortly after stopping on scene, the patrol car was struck by another passenger car. The trooper was not inside the vehicle at the time of the crash. The trooper was outside the vehicle and had to jump into the median to avoid being struck. The trooper was not injured in the crash.
The Stutsman County Sheriffs’ Office (SCSO) is investigating the crash involving the NDHP patrol car. Approximately seven additional crashes occurred at this same location in quick succession with approximately two dozen vehicles involved. Several individuals were transported to the Jamestown Regional Medical Center for injuries sustained in the crashes. The most serious injury was a broken leg.
Westbound I-94 was closed from 6:30 p.m. until 10 p.m. to allow for the investigation of crashes and recovery of all vehicles involved. The weather conditions at the time of the crash were a contributing factor. A fine mist was falling at the time and caused the roadway to ice over prior to the crashes.
The ND Department of Transportation, Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Police Department, Jamestown Fire Department and Jamestown Ambulance Service all assisted on scene. The NDHP and SCSO are working cooperatively on the crash investigations.
