Head-on collision causes one fatality on Hwy. 23
Patrice Bumstead
Farmer Editor
At approximately 8:13 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 28, a traffic accident on Highway 23, approximately 16 miles west of New Town, in McKenzie County resulted in one fatality and one seriously injured.
According to the news release from the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP), 29 year-old Travis Nofoa, of Las Vegas, Nev., was driving his Ford F-250 west near mile marker 31. Nofoa crossed over the center line in front of a 2018 Freightliner heading east, driven by 47 year-old Kessellie Boakai, of Sioux Falls, S.D.
The Ford collided with the Freighliner head-on and came to rest facing west in the westbound lane of Highway 23. The Freightliner came to rest on the south shoulder of Highway 23.
Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. Nofoa sustained fatal injuries. Boakai sustained serious injuries and was flown to a Minot hospital.
Agencies assisting with the scene were the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office, the McKenzie County Ambulance and Keene Fire and Rescue. Highway 23 near the scene of the crash was shut down for approximately four hours while crews worked to clear the road.
The crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.