On March 26, 2024, at approximately 8 a.m., a three-vehicle property crash occurred approximately 8 miles east of Watford City on Highway 23 near mile marker 12. A 2019 Ford F-250 driven by Todd Kemper was driving east on Highway 23 when the F-250 broke down leaving the enclosed trailer it was pulling just into the lane of travel. A 2024 Ram 2500 driven by Patrick Bartley stopped to assist Kemper. Both the 2019 Ford F-250 and 2024 Ram 2500 had their hazard lights activated. Kemper, his passenger, Dakota Griffin, and Bartley were in the process of setting up traffic cones. A 2011 Kenworth Semi pulling a side dump trailer was being driven by Hamady Dia. The Kenworth was eastbound on Highway 23. The Kenworth attempted to avoid the Ram 2500 which was on the shoulder with its hazards on. The side dump trailer struck the Ram 2500. The Kenworth attempted to get back into the eastbound lane of Highway 23. The Kenworth then struck the enclosed trailer attached to the F-250. Kemper, Griffin, and Bartley saw the Kenworth approaching, exited the shoulder of the roadway, and entered the ditch prior to the collision. Dia was not injured. The McKenzie County Sheriff’s Officer re-routed traffic as a result of the crash. Highway 23 was closed for approximately one hour before one lane was opened at 9 a.m. Highway 23 was fully cleared and opened back up by 1:05 p.m.
At the time of the crash the road was dry and the weather was clear.
The agencies who responded to the crash were the North Dakota Highway Patrol, McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office, Keene Fire and Rescue and Watford City Ambulance Service.
The crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
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