A third woman has died after a fatal car crash from last week near Park River, N.D.
Joanne Schwappach, 86, of Bismarck, succumbed on Monday to her injuries from the crash and died at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, according to a North Dakota Highway Patrol news release.
Schwappach had been the front-seat passenger in a car with two other passengers. Louise Heupel, 81, of Bismarck, and Mary Danielson, 84, of Glendive, Mont., both died at the scene of the crash on June 15 about 5 miles west of Park River.
The car's driver, Erlys Fardal, 80, of Bismarck, was transported to First Care Health Center in Park River. She was treated for injuries and released, according to the news release.
At 11:47 a.m., authorities responded to Highways 17 and 32, where a northbound 2014 Toyota Avalon, driven by Fardal, ran a stop sign and was struck by a westbound 2015 Kenworth semi.
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The driver of the semi, Edouard Bremaud, 62, of LaBroquerie, Man., was not injured.
Both drivers and all passengers were wearing seatbelts, and the Avalon's airbags deployed.
The Highway Patrol has not yet determined why Fardal ran the stop sign, and the crash is still under investigation, including the possibility of charges for Fardal.
The Avalon was totaled, and the semi tractor sustained minor front-end damage.
Walsh County Sheriff's Department and the Park River Fire Department also responded to the scene.
