Updated Report – Names Released
What: Injury
Where: Highway 23 Mile Marker 33, approximately 14 miles west of New Town
When: June 6, 2024, 2:39 PM CT
Road Conditions: Dry
Weather Conditions: Clear
Crash Involvement: Three Vehicles
Type of Crash: Rear-End/Angle
Agencies Involved: North Dakota Highway Patrol, McKenzie County Sheriff’s Office, McKenzie County Ambulance, New Town Ambulance, Keene Fire Department
Vehicle Details:
Vehicle No. 1: 2005 Nissan Murano
- Driver: Richard Booker, 45, Minot, ND (Serious Injuries, Seatbelt not in use)
- Passenger 1: Ausha Scales, 42, Minot, ND (Serious Injuries, Seatbelt used)
- Passenger 2: 8-year-old juvenile, Minot, ND (Serious Injuries, Seatbelt used)
- Charges: Under Investigation
Vehicle No. 2: 1969 Ford Mustang
- Driver: Ronald Klimpel, 76, Michigan, ND (Serious Injuries, Seatbelt used)
- Passenger: Linda Klimpel, 76, Michigan, ND (Minor Injuries, Seatbelt used)
- Charges: Under Investigation
Vehicle No. 3: 2022 Ford F-150
- Driver: Phillip Tyra, 38, Minot, ND (Minor Injuries, Seatbelt used)
- Charges: None
Crash Narrative:
A 1969 Ford Mustang, with its left turn signal activated, was stopped near the fog line facing west, waiting to make a left turn off Highway 23 onto a gravel road. The Mustang was waiting for an eastbound 2022 Ford F-150 to pass before turning. A westbound 2005 Nissan Murano then rear-ended the Mustang, causing it to rest in the north ditch. The Murano then entered the east lane and struck the Ford F-150, coming to rest in the middle of Highway 23, while the F-150 stopped on the shoulder.
Injuries and Transport:
- Ronald Klimpel (Ford Mustang Driver): Serious injuries, flown to Sanford Hospital in Bismarck
- Linda Klimpel (Ford Mustang Passenger): Minor injuries, released on scene
- Richard Booker (Nissan Murano Driver): Serious injuries, transported to McKenzie County Health in Watford City, then to Sanford Hospital in Fargo
- Ausha Scales (Nissan Murano Passenger): Serious injuries, flown to Sanford Hospital in Fargo
- 8-year-old juvenile (Nissan Murano Passenger): Serious injuries, flown to Trinity Health in Minot, then to Sanford Hospital in Fargo
- Phillip Tyra (Ford F-150 Driver): Minor injuries, released on scene
The crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol.