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NEW TOWN, N.D. — An 18-year-old man from Watford City died early Saturday, July 2, when the Dodge Caravan he was driving collided with a Peterbilt semitruck.
At about 5:54 a.m., the eastbound minivan crossed the center line on State Highway 23 east of New Town in front of the westbound semi, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
The semi driver, Alyssa Lee Smith, 50, of Kenmare, applied the brakes and attempted to evade the minivan, which struck the semi head-on in the westbound right turn lane, the Highway Patrol said. The driver of the minivan, Eduardo Luis Ochoa, was partially ejected and pronounced dead at the scene.
The driver of the semi was wearing a seat belt and was not injured in the crash, which remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol and Mountrail County Sheriff's Office.
