Watford City, ND (April 25, 2026) – A fatal crash involving a semi-truck claimed the life of a 63-year-old woman Saturday afternoon south of Watford City.
According to the North Dakota State Patrol, the collision occurred around 1:33 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 85 and 23rd Street Northwest, approximately one mile south of the city.
Authorities reported that a 2017 Peterbilt semi was traveling southbound on Highway 85 when a 1983 Jeep CJ-7 entered the intersection from 23rd Street Northwest. The semi struck the Jeep in a t-bone collision, resulting in fatal injuries to the Jeep’s driver, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The semi driver, a 62-year-old man from Dickinson, was not injured in the crash. Officials confirmed that both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision.
The crash remains under investigation. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
What Makes T-Bone Collisions at Highway Intersections So Dangerous?
T-bone collisions, also known as side-impact crashes, are particularly dangerous because the sides of vehicles offer less protection than the front or rear. When a vehicle is struck from the side at highway speeds, the force of impact is often transferred directly to occupants.
These types of crashes commonly occur at intersections when one vehicle fails to yield or misjudges the speed of oncoming traffic. High-speed roadways like Highway 85 can increase the severity of these collisions due to the momentum involved.
Even with seatbelt use, the risk of serious or fatal injury remains high in side-impact crashes. Drivers can reduce risk by approaching intersections cautiously, ensuring clear visibility, and yielding properly before entering cross traffic.
