Belfield, ND (March 10, 2026) – Two people were seriously hurt after a crash involving a semi-truck and a pickup on Monday afternoon, March 9, on Highway 85 about three miles north of Belfield.
The accident happened around 12:53 p.m. Reports indicate a 2024 Volvo truck pulling a flatbed trailer was traveling southbound on Hwy 85 near mile marker 78.
Authorities said the truck drifted across the fog line before the driver corrected to the left. The vehicle then lost control, crossed into the northbound lane, and jackknifed across the roadway.
A northbound 2020 Chevrolet Silverado pulling an enclosed trailer then struck the trailer of the Volvo. The impact caused serious injuries to the 36-year-old driver of the Silverado and a 62-year-old passenger. Both men, from Tioga, were taken to CHI St. Alexius in Dickinson for treatment.
The driver of the Volvo, a 45-year-old man from Huntington, West Virginia, was not hurt in the crash. All occupants involved were wearing seatbelts at the time.
The highway was closed in both directions between mile markers 77 and 79 from about 1:05 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. while crews worked at the scene.
The police continue to investigate the cause of the crash, and more details will be released as they become available.
Our thoughts are with those affected as they continue to recover.
How Road Conditions and Trailer Loads Can Affect Highway Crashes
Crashes involving vehicles pulling trailers often develop differently from standard passenger vehicle accidents. Trailers change how a vehicle handles, especially during sudden steering corrections or slippery road conditions.
When a trailer begins to swing or lose traction, the towing vehicle may jackknife. This happens when the trailer pushes forward and angles sharply toward the towing vehicle, sometimes blocking multiple lanes of traffic.
The weather also affects vehicle control. Wet or slushy pavement can reduce tire grip, which increases stopping distance and makes sudden movements harder to correct. Larger vehicles, including commercial trucks, may need additional distance to stabilize when traction is reduced.
When a truck or pickup pulling a trailer loses control, nearby drivers may have little time to react. This is one reason highway crashes involving trailers can involve multiple vehicles even when traffic volumes are low.
