Highway Patrol Seeks Leads After Fatal Hit And Run On Interstate 94

The North Dakota Highway Patrol announced on December 24 that investigators had identified the victim of a fatal hit and run that occurred on Interstate 94 west of Valley City, and that forensic work had produced pieces of a suspect vehicle recovered at the scene. Troopers said the debris included a bug deflector and other fragments that allowed them to narrow the likely make and model to an early to mid 2000s Ford F 150 or F 250 with damage to the front passenger side.

Authorities reconstructed the vehicle evidence at the crash site and used that reconstruction to develop a set of characteristics they believe will help the public identify a suspect vehicle. The Highway Patrol asked residents to be alert for F 150 or F 250 trucks with visible damage to the front passenger side and to consider whether they saw such a vehicle in the late night and early morning timeframe near Valley City around the date of the crash.

For Stutsman County residents, the appeal carries both immediate and practical significance. Interstate 94 is a vital corridor for local travel and freight, and an unreported collision with a fatality raises concerns about road safety, driver responsibility, and the need for community cooperation with law enforcement. Investigators emphasized that even small details about vehicle damage, temporary repairs, or sightings of a truck with a bug deflector can provide leads that move the case forward.

The Highway Patrol provided contact information and a case number in its release and asked anyone with information to report it promptly. The investigation remains active, and troopers continue to follow forensic and witness leads. Local law enforcement officials said they would coordinate with state investigators to pursue tips and to ensure safe travel on the stretch of Interstate 94 that runs through Stutsman County.

As the probe continues, officials encouraged residents who commute the corridor, who live near exit ramps, or who maintain properties adjacent to the interstate to review surveillance footage and to notify authorities if they observe a vehicle matching the described damage. Community cooperation could be critical to identifying the driver and bringing clarity to the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.