Sioux County, ND (September 10, 2026) – An 83-year-old woman died on Tuesday afternoon, September 8, after the side-by-side utility vehicle she was driving collided with a tractor-trailer on ND Highway 6 near Selfridge, according to authorities. The crash happened around 3:05 p.m. at mile marker 10, near the intersection with 24th Avenue Southwest, about two miles east of Selfridge.
Authorities said a John Deere Gator side-by-side was headed west on ND Highway 6, traveling from a farm toward a field, when a 2024 Freightliner tractor-trailer, also moving west, attempted to pass in a marked passing zone. The Gator’s driver reportedly turned left into the truck’s path, striking its front-right bumper.
The driver of the Gator, a woman from Selfridge, was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene, authorities said. The truck driver, a 33-year-old man from Mandan, was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured, according to authorities.
Responders included the North Dakota State Patrol, the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Standing Rock Ambulance Service, and the Mobridge, South Dakota, Fire Department. Road and weather conditions at the time were reported as dry.
The crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota State Patrol.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Why Left-Turn Crashes Turn Deadly When a Passing Vehicle Is Involved
A left turn in front of a passing vehicle is one of the most common causes of collisions between slow-moving farm equipment and highway traffic. The driver making the turn often has no clear way to know a vehicle behind them has already started to pass, especially on rural highways where passing zones run long, and traffic is sparse enough that drivers stop checking mirrors as often.
Impairment does not have to mean alcohol or drugs to change the outcome of a crash like this. Fatigue, distraction, and slowed reaction time from age or medical factors can all delay the moment a driver notices another vehicle alongside them, and that delay is often the difference between a near miss and a fatal collision. A driver who reacts a second late to a truck already in the passing lane has little room to correct the turn.
Rural two-lane highways add another layer of risk because they mix vehicles moving at very different speeds. A tractor-trailer legally passing at highway speed can close the distance on a slow-moving side-by-side or farm vehicle far faster than either driver expects, which is why these merges into a shared lane are treated as high-risk moments on roads like ND Highway 6.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, 8,617 people were killed in intersection-related crashes in the federal analysis summarized in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
What role does impairment play in fatal crashes?
Impairment, whether from alcohol, drugs, fatigue, or slowed reaction time, reduces a driver’s ability to judge closing speed and react to another vehicle in time. It is a factor in a large share of fatal crashes nationwide, particularly those involving a sudden turn or lane change.
Where do fatal crashes most often occur?
Fatal crashes cluster at intersections, driveways, and passing zones where vehicles moving at different speeds or in different directions have to cross paths. Rural highways with higher speed limits and limited sightlines see a steady share of these crashes.
What factors make a crash more likely to be fatal?
Higher speed differentials between vehicles, lack of seatbelt use, and larger vehicle-size mismatches (such as a tractor-trailer versus a smaller utility vehicle) all increase the odds that a crash results in death rather than injury.
How does speed affect crash survivability?
Higher impact speed increases the force transferred to occupants and reduces the time available to either driver to avoid a collision. Even a modest increase in speed can turn a survivable crash into a fatal one.
What to Do After a Left-Turn or Passing-Zone Crash in Sioux County, ND
If you’re involved in a crash like this, move to a safe location if possible and call 911 right away. Stay put until law enforcement arrives, and let responders assess anyone involved for injuries, even if they seem minor at first. Adrenaline can mask pain from impact, and some injuries don’t show symptoms until hours later.
Get checked by a medical provider even if you feel fine at the scene. Keep a copy of the police report once it’s available, and hold onto any documentation from the crash for your own records. If you witnessed the crash, cooperating with investigators helps build an accurate picture of what happened. Residents in and around Sioux County can also contact the North Dakota State Patrol directly with any information relevant to the ongoing investigation.
