Lamoure County, ND — February 21, 2025, one person was injured in a truck accident at about 5:55 p.m. on U.S. Route 281 near Edgeley.

Authorities said a Ford Bronco was driving east on County Road 35 when it collided with a semi-truck on U.S. Route 281.

The driver of the Bronco, a 38-year-old man from Jamestown, suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities. His name has not been made public.

The truck driver was not injured.

Authorities have not released any additional details about the crash at this time. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary

When a passenger vehicle collides with a semi-truck at an intersection, most people assume the smaller vehicle’s driver must have made a mistake. While that’s a possibility, the reality is often more complicated. Determining fault in a crash like this requires looking beyond the surface-level facts and asking the right questions.

The first thing to examine is right-of-way. Did one of the drivers fail to yield? If so, was it due to driver error, poor visibility or unclear traffic controls? Intersections along highways, particularly in rural areas, can be dangerous if signage is inadequate or if sightlines are obstructed.

Investigators should also look at the truck’s speed and braking data. Many trucks are equipped with an engine control module (ECM) that records speed, braking force and other critical details leading up to a crash. Was the truck traveling too fast for conditions? Did the driver have enough time to react? These details can make all the difference in understanding what really happened.

Beyond that, factors like road conditions, lighting and potential distractions need to be considered. Many of these rural intersections don’t have stoplights, and if it was already getting dark around the time of the crash, visibility could have played a role.

Crashes like this one are rarely as simple as they appear at first glance. A proper investigation should go beyond just determining who had the right-of-way and take a closer look at all the contributing factors. That’s the only way to ensure accountability for those affected by this crash.