KINDRED, Cass County, N.D., Oct. 19, 2026 — A head-on crash on Highway 46 near Kindred left three people injured, one of them seriously, on Sunday afternoon, October 18, the North Dakota State Patrol reported. The two-vehicle wreck happened around 3:23 p.m. near mile marker 112.
A Subaru Outback was headed west on Highway 46 when a Dodge Ram traveling east reportedly passed another eastbound vehicle in a no-passing zone, according to the State Patrol. The Dodge crossed railroad tracks and struck the Subaru head-on.
The driver of the Dodge, a 22-year-old man from Wahpeton, was injured and taken by ambulance to Sanford Health in Fargo. His passenger, a 19-year-old woman also from Wahpeton, was injured and transported as well. The driver of the Subaru, a 28-year-old woman from Fargo, suffered serious injuries and was flown to Sanford Health in Fargo by AirMed.
Authorities said the Dodge driver was not wearing a seatbelt, while the Subaru driver was belted at the time of the crash. The Dodge driver faces several charges, including DUI-drugs, criminal vehicular injury, reckless endangerment, and driving under suspension, among others. Whether the passenger was restrained remains under investigation.
The crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota State Patrol.
We hope those who were hurt recover fully and quickly.
More on Crashes in Kindred, ND
This crash happened on Highway 46 in Kindred, ND. We cover crashes across Cass County as they're reported, and you can browse the latest in our Cass County accident reports.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can drivers avoid a head-on collision?
Staying in the proper lane, obeying posted passing zones, and slowing down on two-lane highways all help prevent a vehicle from drifting into oncoming traffic.
Where do most head-on crashes happen?
They're most common on rural, undivided two-lane roads where vehicles traveling in opposite directions are separated only by a painted center line.
What role does passing play in head-on crashes?
Passing in a no-passing zone or misjudging the distance to oncoming traffic is one of the most common causes of head-on wrecks, since it puts a vehicle directly in the path of cars coming the other way.
How do median barriers help prevent head-on crashes?
Physical barriers between opposing lanes of traffic keep a vehicle that drifts or loses control from crossing into oncoming lanes, though many two-lane highways don't have them.
What to Do After a Head-On Crash in Kindred, North Dakota
Anyone involved in a head-on crash should get checked by a medical provider even if injuries aren't immediately obvious, since impacts like this can cause internal injuries that take hours to show symptoms. Call 911 right away if you haven't already, stay in a safe location away from traffic, and wait for law enforcement to arrive and document the scene. Take photos if it's safe to do so, gather contact information from any witnesses, and request a copy of the official crash report once it's available from the North Dakota State Patrol. Follow up with your own doctor for a full evaluation in the days after the crash, and keep records of any treatment you receive.
