On Tuesday morning, Jan. 11, one of North Dakota’s finest was involved in a motor vehicle crash east of Watford City. A sheriff’s deputy vehicle was struck by another commuter hours before sunrise.
According to press releases, while on shift, 36-year-old McKenzie County Sheriff Deputy Beebe was driving his 2018 Chevy Tahoe sheriff’s vehicle on a frost-covered Hwy. 23 in the eastbound passing lane at 6:18 a.m. CT. Just three miles east of Watford City Deputy Beebe decided he needed to turn around and head back towards Watford City. He slowed to make the U-turn, not realizing there were two vehicles behind him. One vehicle swerved into the right-hand lane and continued on its way. The second vehicle, a 2016 Chevy Silverado operated by 40-year-old Troy O’donnell, Grand Forks, swerved into the westbound lane. Since Deputy Beebe was turning into that lane he was still in O’donnell’s path. Troy O’donnell was unable to stop in time and the two vehicles collided. Both men were wearing their seatbelts and their airbags deployed. O’donnell was uninjured but Deputy Beebe was transported to McKenzie County Hospital with minor injuries. All lanes of traffic had to be shut down for two hours to allow the vehicles to be safely removed.
As of Jan. 14, the crash is still under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
Reader Comments(0)