STERLING, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – A severe accident involving an off-highway motorcycle and a semi-truck led to the temporary closure of US Highway 83 near mile marker 64 at the intersection of US83 and 5th Ave NE. The incident occurred at approximately 7:30 pm on Sunday night.

The crash involved a right-angle collision between a red 2016 Freightliner truck towing a belly dump trailer and a 2008 Yamaha class 1 off-highway motorcycle. The Freightliner, driven by a 34-year-old male from Devil’s Lake, ND, was heading south on US83 loaded with gravel. The motorcycle, driven by a 21-year-old female from Sterling, ND, was traveling in the west ditch of US83 and attempted to cross the highway to the east at 5th Ave NE. The semi could not stop in time, resulting in a collision with the motorcycle on the left side.

The female motorcyclist, who was wearing a helmet, sustained severe, life-threatening injuries. She was airlifted to Sanford in Bismarck by Sanford AirMed. The driver of the semi-truck was unharmed and was using a seat belt at the time of the crash. Charges for both drivers are pending as the investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol continues.

Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Burleigh County Sheriff’s Department, Sterling Rural Fire and Rescue, Metro Ambulance, and Sanford AirMed.