Dangerous turn causes chaos on a Grand Forks road

Drivers near Grand Forks found themselves slowing and shifting lanes after a multi-vehicle crash that followed an alleged illegal median turnaround, according to WDAY Radio. The station reported the crash this week; officials had not released a full location or timeline as of publication.

Initial details were limited. We’ll update this post as soon as the North Dakota Highway Patrol publishes its crash summary or local agencies confirm the roadway involved.

Chain reaction: what we know so far

WDAY Radio reported that several vehicles were involved after a driver attempted an illegal median turnaround, triggering a chain reaction. The station did not immediately list injuries, citations, or the exact number of vehicles.

Until troopers or police release a preliminary report, treat early accounts as provisional. The North Dakota Highway Patrol typically posts briefings on its newsroom page; we’ll link directly once it’s available. If you witnessed the crash, you can share information with the Highway Patrol or the Grand Forks Police Department via their official contact pages.

Road safety concerns hit home

Illegal median crossovers can create sudden conflicts at highway speeds, especially on divided corridors where traffic expects straightforward flow. Around Grand Forks, divided roadways like I-29 and Gateway Drive (U.S. 2) include signed median areas that are often marked for authorized vehicles only; using them can surprise fast‑moving traffic and lead to rear-end or T-bone crashes.

State safety officials have repeatedly warned against using unauthorized median openings and encourage making legal turns at designated intersections, according to Vision Zero North Dakota. The campaign’s guidance emphasizes signaling early, yielding properly, and avoiding sudden stops or last‑second lane changes—small choices that reduce pileups when traffic is heavy.

Voices from the scene

WDAY Radio characterized the triggering move as an “illegal median turnaround” in its initial report and said multiple vehicles were involved. As of publication, neither the North Dakota Highway Patrol nor Grand Forks Police had posted a public summary of the incident.

We’ve requested more information from the Highway Patrol’s northeast region and the Grand Forks Police Department; we’ll update with their statements or safety guidance as soon as they respond. You can follow agency updates directly via the Highway Patrol’s newsroom and the GFPD’s official page.

Reader actions: stay safe on the roads

• Use only designated intersections or clearly signed U‑turn points. If a median crossover is marked “authorized vehicles only,” don’t enter it—even for a quick turnaround.
• Signal early, check mirrors and blind spots, and make sure you have a long, safe gap before turning across traffic. If you miss your turn, continue to the next legal option rather than stopping short.
• If you encounter erratic or dangerous driving, pull over safely and call 911. For travel conditions and lane closures before you head out, check North Dakota’s real‑time traveler info at travel.dot.nd.gov and the City’s construction updates at the Grand Forks Public Works page.

What to Watch

Look for an official crash summary from the North Dakota Highway Patrol; we’ll update this post with confirmed details on location, injuries, and any citations once it’s posted. WDAY Radio may add specifics as authorities release them. If any lane restrictions follow, expect updates through ND 511 and City of Grand Forks alerts.