Mandan, ND (March 14, 2026) – A 21-year-old woman from Ohio died on Saturday morning, March 14, after her vehicle lost control on icy pavement and crossed into oncoming traffic on Interstate 94 near Mandan.
The crash happened around 6:36 a.m. near mile marker 139, about eight miles west of the city. A 2017 Subaru Legacy was traveling eastbound when the driver lost control while negotiating a curve on the icy roadway.
According to early reports, the vehicle entered the median and continued into the westbound lanes of the interstate. A westbound 2024 Ram 3500 then struck the Subaru.
The Subaru driver, a 21-year-old woman from Lancaster, Ohio, was pronounced dead at the scene. The Ram driver, a 34-year-old man from Punta Gorda, Florida, was taken to a hospital in Bismarck with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.
Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as soon as they become available.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
How Ice Roads Increase the Risk of Highway Accidents
Winter road conditions can greatly affect how vehicles respond on highways and interstates. Ice reduces tire traction, which makes it harder for drivers to steer, slow down, or maintain control while traveling at normal speeds.
Curves in the road can become especially hazardous when ice is present. When a vehicle enters a curve too quickly for the available traction, it may slide or drift toward the shoulder or median. Once traction is lost, drivers often have little time to correct the movement before the vehicle leaves its lane.
Highways with wide medians can still present danger if a vehicle slides across the center area and enters opposing lanes. When that happens, the risk of a head-on collision increases.
Drivers traveling during icy conditions are often advised to reduce speed, increase following distance, and make gradual steering movements to help maintain stability on slippery pavement.
