JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NDHP) – The North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP) responded to a two-vehicle crash on I-94 near milepost 261 near Jamestown on Friday, May 17th around 7pm. At the time of the crash the roadway was dry, and it was not raining. The area of the crash is in a construction zone. Eastbound traffic was diverted into the westbound lanes in a head-to-head configuration.

A 2021 Nissan Rogue driven by 21-year-old Alessandra I. Reynolds of West Fargo was eastbound in the transition zone to merge back onto eastbound I-94 when she struck several “Big Sandy” crash cushion barrels and overturned. The vehicle came to rest facing south in transition merge lane to eastbound I-94 blocking traffic. Debris from the barrel strike entered the westbound lanes, where a 2007 Cadillac was struck. The driver, Carmen McBride, 68, of Jamestown was not injured. Both drivers were wearing seat belts. Alessandra sustained minor injuries from the crash. She was treated on scene by the Jamestown Ambulance and transported to the Jamestown Regional Medical Center. She was cited for careless driving.

Around 7:25PM a second crash occurred west of this location on I-94 in the construction zone. At this time the roadway was wet, and it was raining. A 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Cora Smith, 30, of Golden Valley, ND was eastbound on I-94. She was slowing for traffic that had slowed for the first crash when her vehicle was rear ended by a semi. Her vehicle came to rest in the westbound lane facing northwest. The driver of the 2023 Volvo truck, Robert Dieterle, 79, of Bismarck, ND continued eastbound striking a second vehicle. The semi was disabled in the eastbound lane. The 2018 Chrysler Pacifica driven by Laura E. Thiel, 48, of Powell, Wyoming entered the median after being stuck by the semi. The vehicle came to rest facing west. She had two passenger Kenneth Reyerson, 85, and Kjellaug Reyerson, 80, of Sharon, ND. Robert, Laura, Kenneth, and Kjellaug were not injured in the crash. Cora was treated for minor injuries by the Jamestown Ambulance and transported to the Jamestown Regional Medical
Center.

Charges for Robert Dieterle are pending investigation.

Traffic on I-94 was shut down for approximately 1 hour while responders worked to remove vehicles and clear the roadway of debris from both crashes.

Agencies involved: North Dakota Highway Patrol, Stutsman County Sheriff’s Office, Jamestown Police Department
Jamestown Fire and Rescue, Jamestown Ambulance, and the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Both crashes remain under investigation by the ND Highway Patrol.