Fargo Man Dies After Fleeing Stop, Hitting Tree
FARGO (trfnews.i234.me) — A 35-year-old Fargo man died early Saturday after his pickup crashed into a tree on Dakota Drive.
The North Dakota State Highway Patrol identified the driver as Damion Proffit, 35, of Fargo.
The crash happened during the early morning hours of August 8.
Traffic Stop Ends Before Crash
Police tried to stop Proffit at about 12:18 a.m.
The attempted stop began in the 700 block of Broadway North.
Authorities said Proffit was driving while his license was suspended.
Proffit left the area at a high rate of speed.
Officers then ended the attempted stop. Police did not pursue the pickup.
Shortly afterward, a Fargo police officer found the crashed vehicle.
The wreck was in the 1500 block of Dakota Drive.
Pickup Hits Tree
Investigators said the 2013 Chevrolet Silverado failed to make a curve.
The pickup then struck a tree. It continued moving and traveled between two apartment buildings.
Debris from the crash also struck a parked Honda Element.
No one was inside the Honda at the time.
Authorities said the parked vehicle suffered extensive damage.
Proffit died at the scene from injuries caused by the crash.
No other injuries were reported in the information released.
Crash Remains Under Investigation
Emergency crews from several agencies responded to the scene.
Those agencies included the Fargo Police Department and Fargo Fire Department.
Sanford Ambulance also responded.
The North Dakota State Highway Patrol is leading the crash investigation.
Investigators have not released a final cause for the crash.
The case remains under investigation.
Additional details could be released after investigators complete their work.
Drivers can find traffic safety information through the North Dakota State Highway Patrol.
Fargo Police also provides public safety information and local department updates online.
The crash happened only minutes after the attempted traffic stop.
However, officers had already ended the stop before the crash was discovered.
Authorities have not announced additional findings in the information released.
The patrol continues reviewing the circumstances surrounding the fatal crash.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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