Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. - 1661 Capitol Way, Suite 103 LL, Bismarck, ND 58501

Man Died Near Valley City

On Saturday morning, April 25, a man from Litchville, N.D. died near Valley City when he suffered a medical condition while driving.

According to the state Highway Patrol the accident happened shortly before 10.30 a.m. on state Highway 1, around a mile south of the Interstate 94 ramp and two miles southwest of Valley City. Dennis Shape, aged 63 and his wife Diane, the same age were traveling northbound in a Chevy Silverado. Dennis Shape was driving when he suffered a medical condition, lost control of the car and went into the east ditch. The pickup continued moving for a few hundred yards more before coming to a stop when it hit a pile of rocks at the edge of a field.

A state trooper with a defibrillator tried to resuscitate Dennis and an ambulance crew continued when they arrived but he was already dead by the time he reached the hospital. Diane Shape suffered minor injuries.

The Highway Patrol said both were wearing seatbelts and the crash remains under investigation.

If you have been injured in an auto accident please call the Bismarck accident attorneys of Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. at (800) 492-5297 or contact us online today to schedule your free initial consultation.

Fargo Man Killed in Two Vehicle Accident

On Friday, March 28, a Fargo man was killed in a two vehicle accident.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the accident happened westbound on U.S. Highway 2 in Berthold . Scott Olsen, aged 42 and from Fargo, was driving a pickup and in front of him was a semi tractor, which was being driven by Justin Landis of Dagmar, Mont. The semi was pulling a grain trailer and it slowed down to make a left turn. Olsen then drove into the back of it. Emergency responders arrived at the scene but were unable to save Olsen who was declared dead.

Both Landis and a passenger in the pickup with Olsen were uninjured.

The reason why Olsen drove into the semi is not yet known and the accident is under investigation. The outcome of toxicology is also awaited.

If you have been injured in an auto accident please call the Bismarck accident attorneys of Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. at (800) 492-5297 or contact us online today to schedule your free initial consultation.

New Improvements for U.S. Highway 85

The 2014 crash report for major North Dakota highways, prepared by the state Department of Transportation, has been published and shows that U.S. Highway 85, which is the artery through the state’s major oil production zone, is the top of all the lists for fatal accidents, injury accidents and property damage accidents.

The heaviest used roads by volume of traffic are parts of U.S. 85 as well as the Interstate 94 east of Valley City and Interstate 29 from Grand Forks through Fargo. That is not only for cars and standard trucks but in addition there are on average 200 permits issued every single day for oversize trucks to be able to travel on U.S. 85 which are usually for oil and gas and construction equipment.

The DOT is constantly looking for ways to improve safety on U.S. 85 and there is now a 42 mile stretch of four lanes between Watford City and Williston and bypass truck reliever routes around Watford City and Alexander. In addition they are looking at slowly speeds to 55 mph, and to install traffic signals, lighting and delineator reflectors on U.S. 85 where it intersects with N.D. Highway 68.

If you have been injured in an auto accident please call the Bismarck accident attorneys of Maring Williams Law Office, P.C. at (800) 492-5297 or contact us online today to schedule your free initial consultation.