McKenzie County, N.D. — Authorities are investigating a fatal dirt bike crash that occurred Wednesday afternoon, August 13, near 4 Bears Marina in New Town, leaving one man dead and another seriously injured.
According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP), the crash was reported at approximately 3:26 p.m. Central Time on Peninsula Road under clear skies and good road conditions. Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Three Affiliated Tribes Police Department, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), the McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office, New Town Ambulance, and the New Town Fire Department.
Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2013 KTM 250SXF dirt bike was traveling south on Peninsula Road when the driver failed to maintain control while navigating a curve. The bike left the roadway and collided with a fence along the side of the road.
The force of the impact caused both riders to be ejected from the dirt bike. The driver, a 23-year-old man from New Town, was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash but suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The passenger, a 19-year-old man from Parshall, was not wearing a helmet and sustained serious injuries. He was transported by ambulance to Trinity Health in Minot for emergency treatment. His current condition has not been released.
Authorities have not yet released the names of those involved, pending notification of next of kin.
The NDHP emphasized the importance of helmet use, noting that while the driver was wearing one, the severity of the crash still resulted in fatal injuries, and the passenger’s lack of helmet use significantly increased the risk of serious harm.
Peninsula Road remained partially closed for several hours as crash reconstruction teams worked the scene, documenting evidence to determine the precise sequence of events. The dirt bike sustained significant damage in the rollover.
The crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol, and further details will be provided as they become available.
Authorities are urging all riders — whether operating on public roads, trails, or private property — to wear helmets and protective gear at all times and to exercise caution, particularly when navigating curves at higher speeds.
This tragic incident marks another sobering reminder of the risks associated with off-road and recreational motorcycling, even under ideal weather and road conditions.
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