Multi-vehicle crash on I-94 near Medina causes one minor injury

A series of crashes along Interstate 94 near Medina left six vehicles in the south ditch and prompted a westbound lane reduction after state troopers reported at least one minor injury, authorities said. The incidents occurred near milepost 225 on Feb. 27, 2026, and created delays on the primary corridor between Bismarck and Jamestown.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol advised drivers to avoid I-94 westbound in the milepost 225 area if possible and cautioned motorists to use reduced speeds and consider alternate routes while responders worked to clear vehicles and debris. Troopers reported that six vehicles were in the ditch and that three vehicles were directly involved in a crash at the scene; westbound traffic was reduced to one lane during response and recovery operations.

Traffic reporting from the scene included conflicting counts. A traffic alert circulated on social media and in local dispatch summaries claimed up to nine vehicles off road and, in an unverified social post, suggested an "up to 40 vehicles" multi-vehicle event. State troopers’ counts — six vehicles in the ditch and three involved in the crash — remain the most specific figures tied to official responders at the site, and officials urged caution as cleanup continued.

Separately documented, an FSA crash report filed with troopers describes an earlier, distinct incident involving a semi and a passenger vehicle near Medina. That report states that at approximately 5:10 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5, a 62-year-old Hartford City, Indiana, resident, Michael Jones, driving a 2021 Kenworth semitrailer westbound, reportedly suffered a medical condition, crossed the median, sideswiped a 2012 Kia Sedona and entered the south ditch. The Kia’s occupants, Dana Wheeler, 60, and Jean Wheeler, 54, both of Prior Lake, Minnesota, were reported uninjured and wearing seat belts; Jones was wearing a seat belt and was transported to Jamestown Regional Medical Center. The FSA report notes that charges against Jones were pending investigation. Troopers have not said that the Sept. 5 semitrailer incident and the Feb. 27 multi-vehicle ditch/runoff crashes are the same event.

At the time of the initial traffic alert on Feb. 27, incident managers said no injury information had been released; subsequent trooper statements referenced at least one minor injury. Troopers are continuing their investigation into the causes and exact sequence of the Feb. 27 incidents at milepost 225, and the number of vehicles involved remains under review as tow and recovery operations progress.

Because the stretch of I-94 near Medina serves regional freight and commuter traffic, lane reductions are likely to produce lingering travel delays between Bismarck and Jamestown until all vehicles are cleared and troopers complete their on-scene work. State troopers have not yet released a final incident report; investigators are expected to provide updates once crash reports and any related charges are finalized.