Pekin, ND (April 25, 2026) – A two-vehicle crash south of Pekin resulted in serious injuries Thursday afternoon, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
The collision occurred at the intersection of North Dakota Highway 1 and Nelson County Road 2, approximately five miles south of Pekin. Authorities reported that a 2011 Chevrolet Impala, driven by a 17-year-old girl from Pekin, was traveling eastbound on County Road 2 when it failed to yield at a stop sign.
As the Impala entered the intersection, it was struck by a northbound 2016 Ford F-150 driven by a 67-year-old man from Binford. The impact caused significant damage to both vehicles.
Emergency responders transported the teenage driver by air ambulance to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks with serious injuries. The pickup truck driver sustained injuries and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.
Officials confirmed that both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. The incident remains under investigation.
Our thoughts are with those injured as they recover.
Why Failure to Yield at Rural Intersections Can Lead to Severe Crashes
Rural intersections, especially those controlled by stop signs, can present serious risks when drivers fail to yield the right-of-way. Vehicles traveling on highways often move at higher speeds, leaving little time to react when another vehicle unexpectedly enters the intersection.
Failure to properly stop, look, and judge the speed of oncoming traffic is a common cause of these types of collisions. Even when visibility is clear, miscalculations can result in high-impact crashes.
While seatbelts significantly improve safety outcomes, the force of intersection collisions can still lead to serious injuries. Drivers can reduce risks by coming to a complete stop, double-checking for traffic, and proceeding only when it is safe.
