On Thursday, March 9th, at approximately 6:47 pm, a ND Highway Patrol vehicle was struck southbound on I-29 MM 77, one mile south of the Argusville Exit.
The NDHP was providing traffic control for a tow truck that was towing a vehicle from the median at this location. The patrol vehicle was parked blocking lane one of southbound I-29 to move traffic right, away from the tow truck. The NDHP patrol vehicle was parked with its emergency lights flashing.
While the patrol car was parked, two vehicles approached the patrol vehicle’s location, side by side. Both vehicles failed to yield to the patrol car. A Ford Explorer was in lane one and failed to move over for the patrol car. The driver of the Ford then braked and lost control. The Ford struck the rear of the patrol and entered the median. The NDHP patrol vehicle spun on the road and came to rest across the southbound lanes of I-29.
The Cass County Sheriffs’ Office is investigating the crash involving the NDHP patrol vehicle and the Ford Explorer. No one was injured in the crash. Two NDHP troopers were in the patrol vehicle at the time of the crash and were seat belted in the vehicle at the time of the crash.
The NDHP was assisted by the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Harwood Fire Department at the crash scene. Two additional crashes occurred at this location after the patrol car was struck and one commercial motor vehicle drove into the ditch. Four other vehicles spun out and entered the ditch, nearly striking the NDHP patrol vehicles and tow truck on scene.
Snow and blowing snow were present at the time of the crash and the roads were ice covered. All motorists involved were traveling too fast for conditions.
