Barnes County (trfnews.i234.me) — A 22-year-old man faces charges in a deadly hit-and-run case near Valley City.
First Court Appearance
Garrett Kuntz made his first court appearance Thursday in Barnes County District Court. The case involves a fatal crash along Interstate 94.
Prosecutors say Kuntz hit a man who was walking west of Valley City. The crash happened early on December 21, 2025.
Authorities said the victim was a 27-year-old man from Honduras. His body was found later that day in a ditch.
Kuntz is charged with manslaughter. He also faces a duty charge in an accident involving death.
During the hearing, bail was set at $50,000. Kuntz is due back in court on April 23, 2026.
What Investigators Allege
The charges stem from a case that began before sunrise on I-94 in Barnes County. Investigators say the victim was walking when he was struck.
The body was found later that same day. The discovery led to a deeper investigation into what happened.
Officials said an anonymous tip helped lead investigators to Kuntz. That tip became a key step in the case.
The court hearing marked the first public appearance in the criminal case. It also set the next date in the legal process.
For now, the charges remain allegations. Kuntz is presumed innocent unless he is proven guilty in court.
What Comes Next
The case has drawn attention in Barnes County because of the deadly outcome. It also raises new questions about safety on rural interstate roads.
Court records and future hearings may provide more detail. That includes how investigators built the case after the body was found.
Readers who want updates can follow official public resources. Those include Barnes County court information, North Dakota Courts public access, the Barnes County official website, and the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
This remains an active criminal case. More details may emerge as Kuntz returns to court in April.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.