Fargo, North Dakota (trfnews.i234.me) – On March 12, 2025, a tragic incident occurred at the intersection of 10th Street North and NP Avenue in downtown Fargo, resulting in the death of 61-year-old cyclist Bernd Scholz. According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Scholz was traveling westbound on NP Avenue when he was struck by a northbound 2018 GMC Yukon driven by 42-year-old Jeremy Jorgenson of Hawley, Minnesota. Jorgenson fled the scene without rendering aid.
Witnesses reported that Scholz was on the ground in front of Jorgenson’s SUV when the traffic light turned green. The vehicle rolled forward, striking Scholz, then backed up and accelerated over him again. Jorgenson later told authorities he believed he had hit a pothole and denied backing up.
Two days after the incident, authorities located Jorgenson and seized his vehicle. On April 1, nearly three weeks later, he was formally charged with a Class B felony for failing to stop at the scene of an accident involving death. Bail was set at $7,500, requiring a 10% cash deposit for release. Jorgenson is scheduled to appear in court on May 29.
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.
Did you know?
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In North Dakota, leaving the scene of an accident involving death is classified as a Class B felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.
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Bernd Scholz was a respected nanoscience engineer at North Dakota State University, known for his contributions to the field and his passion for cycling.
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The intersection of 10th Street North and NP Avenue is a busy downtown area, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and adherence to traffic laws to ensure the safety of all road users.