Mountrail County, ND — February 5, 2025, one person was injured in a truck accident at about 3:30 p.m. on U.S. Route 2 near White Earth.

Authorities said a semi-truck crashed into a westbound North Dakota Department of Transportation snowplow after hitting the guardrail while trying to pass the slower-moving vehicle. The impact forced the plow truck to overturn.

The plow truck driver, whose name has not been made public at this time, suffered serious injuries in the crash, according to authorities.

The truck driver, who was not injured, was cited for careless driving after the crash, authorities said.

Authorities have not released any additional details about the Mountrail County crash. The accident is still under investigation.

Commentary by Attorney Michael Grossman

When I hear about a crash like this, my first question is, “Did the truck driver have enough space and control to make a safe passing maneuver?” Many people assume passing a slower-moving vehicle is routine, but in my experience, attempting to overtake a snowplow in winter conditions is often more dangerous than drivers realize.

One of the first things investigators should determine is whether road conditions played a role in the truck driver’s loss of control. Snowplows are on the road precisely because conditions are hazardous, and passing them requires extra caution. If the roadway was slick or narrowed by accumulated snow, that could explain why the truck hit the guardrail before veering into the plow.

Another key factor is visibility. Snowplows often create clouds of snow that can make it difficult for other drivers to see. If blowing snow or poor visibility made it harder for the truck driver to judge distances, that could have contributed to the crash. Investigators should determine whether the truck driver had a clear view of the road ahead or if reduced visibility caused them to miscalculate the pass.

Speed and following distance should also be examined. Snowplows travel at reduced speeds for safety reasons, but semi-trucks require significantly more distance to stop or correct a maneuver in winter conditions. Reviewing ECM (black box) data from the semi-truck could help determine whether the driver was traveling at an appropriate speed and whether they had enough time and space to safely pass.

At this stage, authorities have already cited the truck driver for careless driving, but that doesn’t mean all contributing factors have been addressed. Looking at road conditions, vehicle positioning and whether the pass was executed safely will be key in understanding how this crash happened.