Fargo, ND  (NDHP) –     During the blizzard system that passed through the southeast portion of North Dakota on December 27th-28th, the Southeast Region of the North Dakota Highway Patrol responded to the following events:

25 – Crashes –                Three of the crashes involved minor injuries and two crashes involved the arrest of a DUI driver.

45 – Highway Assists – These involved assisting people that had driven into the ditch or median or had broken down along the roadside.  From these, 15 people were rescued after becoming stranded along I-94 or I-29 during the storm.

1 – Crash involving a NDHP vehicle that occurred in Fargo on 12/28/2018 at 10:16 am on I-94 MM 352 westbound.  The NDHP Dodge Charger was side swiped by a Honda Civic.  There were no injuries in this crash.

1 – Near Miss involving a commercial motor vehicle (CMV) that passed a trooper providing traffic control for a towing service at approximately 7:45 pm on 12/27/2018.  The towing service was attempting to tow a vehicle from the median on I-29 near MM 68.  The CMV passed the trooper at 65 mph in severely reduced visibility, nearly striking the tow truck and tow truck operator before the CMV entered the median and struck the car being towed.  One minor injury resulted from this crash.  Luckily, the tow operator saw the CMV approaching and ran out the way, as the CMV would have struck the tow operator.

1 – Pursuit north of Jamestown at 7:12 pm 12/27/2018 involving a vehicle that fled from a traffic stop initiated by a NDHP Trooper.  The pursuit was called off shortly after it began because the road conditions were unsafe because of the weather.  The suspect has been identified and charges will be sought in the incident.

 

 

Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead before traveling in the type of dangerous conditions that were present on 12/27-12/28.  Know before you go.  Blizzard conditions are deadly.  Individuals put their own lives at risk, along with the lives of first responders and DOT personnel that respond to emergencies.  When NDDOT and the NDHP issue a No Travel Advisory, the message is that no travel should be undertaken unless it is an emergency.

 

Some additional winter driving tips:  remember to always wear your seat belt, turn your headlights on any time there is reduced visibility, turn your cruise control off and drive the appropriate speed for the conditions.   In addition, if you see emergency lights flashing ahead, slow your speed well before approaching the emergency vehicle(s), so you can safely pass.