MOORHEAD, MN – (trfnews.i234.me) – A Moorhead man has been sentenced to prison after a violent vehicle assault left another man fighting for his life.
Roel Rivera, 40, of Moorhead, was sentenced Monday, November 9, 2026, to 86 months in prison. The sentence follows his conviction for first-degree assault in Clay County.
The case stems from an April 24 incident in which Rivera struck another man with a vehicle in a Moorhead field.
Victim Found With Life-Threatening Injuries
According to court documents, officers responded to the area of 36th Street in Moorhead shortly before midnight.
Emergency crews found a man lying in a field with severe injuries after being struck by a vehicle.
The victim suffered a broken femur, multiple pelvic fractures, and more than a dozen broken ribs.
He also suffered internal bleeding and required treatment in a hospital intensive care unit.
The injuries were considered life-threatening.
Witness Describes Terrifying Encounter
A woman at the scene identified Rivera, her ex-husband, as the driver involved in the assault.
She told investigators she and the victim were walking toward a nearby Circle K gas station.
The pair planned to meet someone who would give them a ride home to Fargo.
While walking, the woman reportedly noticed Rivera driving around a nearby apartment building’s parking lot.
According to the criminal complaint, the two began running after seeing his vehicle.
The woman told investigators Rivera drove into a grassy field and struck the victim.
Rivera Gave Investigators Different Account
Rivera disputed the witness’s account when questioned by investigators.
He claimed the victim had been throwing rocks at his vehicle before the incident.
Rivera reportedly told investigators one rock broke through his windshield and struck him in the head.
He claimed he suddenly regained awareness while driving through the grass.
Rivera also said broken glass had affected his vision.
He maintained that he did not realize his vehicle had struck the victim.
Judge Imposes 86-Month Prison Sentence
Following the investigation, Rivera faced serious felony allegations connected to the incident.
Moorhead police initially reported his arrest on suspicion of attempted second-degree murder and felony assault.
Rivera was ultimately convicted of first-degree assault.
On November 9, he received an 86-month prison sentence for the conviction.
The victim’s current medical condition was not provided in the sentencing report.
Additional information about the original investigation is available through the Moorhead Police Department.
The sentencing was reported by Valley News Live.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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