Ward County Fatal Crash
What: Fatal Crash
Where: Highway 2-mile marker 143 (approximately 4 miles west of Minot)
When: August 10, 2023 @ 4:41 PM CST
Road Conditions: Dry
Weather Conditions: Clear
Crash Involvement: Vehicle vs. Motorcycle
Type of Crash: Angle
Agencies Involved: North Dakota Highway Patrol, Ward County Sheriff’s Office, Burlington
Police Department, Minot Rural Fire Department, Burlington Rural Fire Department and Trinity
First Response
Vehicle No. 1: 2019 Harley Davidson
Driver No. 1: Vernon Eckel: 62-year-old male of Burlington ND, fatal injury
Restraints: no helmet
Charges: none
Passenger No. 1: Pamela Eckel: 64-year-old female of Burlington ND, fatal injury
Restraints: no helmet
Vehicle No. 2: 2002 Honda Accord
Driver No. 2: Adam Trueblood: 36-year-old male of Minot ND, no injuries
Restraints: seat belted
Charges: under investigation
NARRATIVE:
A 2019 Harley Davidson was traveling westbound on Highway 2 near mile marker 143. A 2002
Honda Accord was at a stop sign at a nearby frontage road. The Honda attempted cross
Highway 2. The Harley Davidson struck the Honda. The driver and passenger of the Harley
Davidson were ejected. The passenger of the Harley Davidson was pronounced deceased on
scene. The driver of the Harley Davidson sustained serious injuries and was transported to
Trinity in Minot by ambulance. The driver of the Harley Davidson later was pronounced
deceased at the hospital. The driver of the Honda did not sustain injuries.
The crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
