On US Highway 2, near mile marker 273, approximately 3 miles east of Devils Lake on Jan. 16, 2025 at approximately 10:26 a.m. CST a single vehicle ran off the roadway. The road conditions at the time of the accident were frosted over with slick weather conditions.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol a 2002 Ford Ranger driven by an 86-year old male from Lakota, ND, identified later as John Mercer, was westbound on US Highway 2, en route from Lakota to Devils Lake. For an unknown reason, the vehicle left the roadway, entered the north ditch and continued into a tree row, striking several trees prior to coming to rest within the tree row.

The driver was transported by ambulance to CHI St. Alexius Hospital in Devils Lake and airlifted to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks due to injuries sustained. The crash remains under investigation by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

Agencies involved in responding to this incident were the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Devils Lake Fire Department, and Lake Region Ambulance Service.

The NDHP reports that the driver of the Ford Ranger was not restrained, airbags deployed and at this printing there were no charges pending.

For more information, contact: Sgt. Christopher A. Schaefer (701)328-2447 cschaefe@nd.gov

Northeast Region, 1100 North 47th Street SE, Suite 200, Grand Forks, ND, 58203. email ND.gov/NDHP