Valley City ND (Valley News Live) – Authorities have identified a Mandan man as the suspected driver in a fatal hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian on Interstate 94 in December 2025.

Charges have been submitted and are pending review by the Barnes County State’s Attorney’s Office.

Garret Kuntz, 22, of Mandan, was identified as the driver of a 2001 Ford F-250 linked to the crash that killed Jerson Mejia, 27, of Honduras. The North Dakota Highway Patrol located Kuntz’s vehicle after receiving an anonymous tip.

The incident occurred on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, at approximately 12:11 a.m., on I-94 eastbound, about eight miles west of Valley City. Mejia was found deceased in a ditch by a passerby around 2:30 p.m. that day.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, dispatch had received multiple 911 calls on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025, reporting a pedestrian walking along I-94. Law enforcement made contact with the man, who declined assistance. Additional calls continued to be received throughout the evening, with the last report to dispatch occurring around 10:55 p.m.

Investigators at the scene found pieces of a vehicle consistent with a hit-and-run, including a damaged bug deflector. The Highway Patrol had previously sought public assistance in locating a vehicle, possibly a Ford F-150 or F-250 from the early to mid-2000s, with damage to the front bumper and passenger-side front quarter panel.

The crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol. Further information will be released pending the outcome of the Barnes County State’s Attorney’s review.