Location: Hwy 85 Milepost 92; 1 mile north of Fairfield
Time: July 17, 2024; 2:40 pm Mountain
Road Conditions: Normal
Weather Conditions: Sunny, clear
Crash Involvement: Vehicle vs. Vehicle
Type of Crash: Head-on collision
Agencies Involved: NDHP, Billings County Sheriff’s Department, Billings County Fire/Rescue, Belfield Ambulance
Vehicle No. 1: 2019 white Ford Edge
Driver No. 1: Stephanie Ceynar, Female; 41 years old; Watford City, ND; fatal injuries
Restraints: Unknown
Charges: None
Vehicle No. 2: 2012 red Western Star truck
Driver No. 2: Alfred Youngberg, Male; 50 years old; Cleburn, TX; serious injury
Restraints: Seat belt
Charges: None
Narrative: On July 17, 2024, at 2:40 pm, a tragic head-on collision occurred on Hwy 85, one mile north of Fairfield. Stephanie Ceynar, 41, from Watford City, ND, was driving a 2019 white Ford Edge southbound when she lost control, crossed into the northbound lane, and collided with a 2012 red Western Star truck driven by Alfred Youngberg, 50, from Cleburn, TX. The impact caused a fire that engulfed both vehicles. Ceynar suffered fatal injuries, while Youngberg sustained serious injuries and was airlifted to a hospital in Bismarck. The North Dakota Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash.