UPDATE: Rolette County Two-Vehicle Fatal Crash
What: Fatality
Where: Intersection of BIA Roads 8 and 11, approximately 5 miles west of Belcourt, ND
When: 09/16/2023 at 9:01 PM CDT
Road Conditions: Good
Weather Conditions: Clear
Crash Involvement: Two-vehicle
Type of Crash: Right Angle
Agencies Involved: Bureau of Indian Affairs Turtle Mountain Agency, Belcourt Police
Department, Rolette County Sheriff’s Office, Belcourt Fire & Rescue, and Belcourt Ambulance
Service
Vehicle No. 1: 2014 Chevrolet Impala
Driver No. 1: Edward Roy Thomas; Male; 70 years old; Belcourt, ND; fatal injuries
Restraints: No seatbelt, airbags deployed
Vehicle No. 2: 2011 International Bus
Driver No. 2: Cole Brien; Male; 20 years old; Belcourt, ND; minor injuries
Restraints: Seatbelt
NARRATIVE: The Chevrolet, driven by Thomas, was westbound on BIA Road 8, en route to
an unknown location. The International, driven by Brien, was southbound on BIA Road 11, en
route from rural Belcourt to the Sky Dancer Hotel & Casino. The Chevrolet disregarded the
stop sign regulated intersection and struck the International. Both vehicles left the roadway,
entered the southwest ditch, rolled, and came to rest facing northeast. The driver of the
International was transported to the Quentin N. Burdick Memorial Hospital in Belcourt. The
driver of the Chevrolet was pronounced deceased on scene.
