North Dakota

Grand Forks prosecutor asks North Dakota Supreme Court to reverse DUI test suppression in fatal crash case

Published

8 months ago

September 8, 2025

NORTH DAKOTA — A Grand Forks prosecutor argued in front of the North Dakota Supreme Court Monday, Sept. 8, that a district judge’s decision to allow suppression of DUI test results was the wrong choice. She asked the Supreme Court to reverse it, so the evidence can be used at trial.

Travis Dean Bell, 44, of Fordville, is charged with Class A felony criminal vehicular homicide and Class C felony criminal vehicular injury. The Class A felony charge has a maximum 20-year sentence.

Bell was charged with these crimes following a June 2024 Grand Forks County crash that

took the life of 6-year-old Katarina Louthain

and seriously injured her mother, Nicole Louthain.

The initial decision to suppress evidence in the case was

made by Judge Theodore Sandberg in March,

a couple of weeks after

the defense — which filed the motion to suppress — and prosecution gave arguments during a hearing.

Key issues argued at the time by Mark Friese, Bell’s attorney, were that since Bell was not charged with driving under the influence (DUI), he was not subject to the state’s implied consent law and, therefore, the arresting officer was wrong to tell him he could be charged with another crime if he refused the test.

Friese argued that by saying this, the officer unlawfully coerced Bell into taking the test, when the officer should have instead requested a warrant for it, as is standard in suspected DUIs that result in injury or death.

Rachel Egstad, an assistant Grand Forks County state’s attorney, is the prosecutor in Bell’s case and filed the Supreme Court appeal following Sandberg’s decision. In her argument Monday, Egstad said when an officer arrives on scene, they work their investigation “from the ground up.”

The arresting officer — North Dakota Highway Patrol Trooper Austin Erickson — was operating with the information he had, and didn’t assume there had been an injury or death, so he carried out a standard DUI arrest and gave the standard implied consent advisory.

“He doesn’t know the whole story; he has no idea what happened,” Egstad said.

She said giving the advisory, and warning of the potential consequences for failing to take a DUI test in spite of state law that requires it of motorists, is not itself coercion.

Egstad referred to Sandberg’s analysis, which she said implied giving the advisory twice was coercive; however, she said the advisory was repeated only because Bell asked for it to be. He was confused about the difference between the preliminary breath test and the one he was asked to do afterward, once he arrived at the jail, Egstad said.

“I don’t know how Mr. Bell can complain about being coerced,” she said.

Drew Hushka — representing Bell in the Supreme Court appeal — argued on Monday that though it’s not wrong to provide an advisory, it’s wrong to provide one inaccurately. He said the implied consent law only applies to DUIs, not criminal vehicular injury or homicide.

However, Egstad and Hushka agreed that driving under the influence is an included offense in the definition of criminal vehicular injury and homicide. To be charged with either crime, someone must be suspected of driving under the influence and there must be an injury or death. Egstad said the crimes and their related statutes do not exist separately from each other.

Hushka argued that Bell was misled and, because of that, he could not voluntarily consent to DUI testing.

He also said that, according to Erickson’s testimony, when he was dispatched to the crash, the trooper received a report that a child on scene was receiving CPR.

“In other words, at the very initial call, he understood that there was a serious injury,” Hushka said.

In his own words, Erickson said he was “running code,” which means his emergency lights and sirens were active as he traveled to the scene, Hushka said.

He said Erickson also described the scene when he arrived as “hectic,” multiple people were stopping by to help and there were various law enforcement officers and paramedics on scene. He said everybody was scrambling, just trying to preserve life, Hushka said.

“When he arrived at the scene, he understood that they were trying to save life, that this was a death or serious bodily injury case,” Hushka said.

When Erickson arrested Bell, he said it would be a death or serious injury charge, according to his testimony cited in the hearing Monday. Egstad said Erickson didn’t actually know at the time if that would be true, and troopers ultimately do not make charging decisions.

Sandberg ruled that Erickson wasn’t credible, but Egstad argued the judge made assumptions about what Erickson would have known when he got to the scene.

“Ultimately, there needs to be a standard for law enforcement to follow when it comes to implied consent,” Egstad said.

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North Dakota

Guard Soldiers respond to shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner

Published

10 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Press Room

Guard Soldiers respond to shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner

U.S. Soldiers with the Nebraska and North Dakota National Guards, assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, pose for a group photo at a hotel in Alexandria, Virginia, April 28, 2026. About 2,500 National Guard members are supporting the mission, providing critical assistance to the Metropolitan Police Department to help ensure the safety of residents, commuters and visitors throughout the District.
(Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Thomas Norris)

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Soldiers with the North Dakota, Arkansas and Nebraska Army National Guard, assigned to Joint Task Force-District of Columbia in support of the DC Safe and Beautiful mission, responded to a shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner (WHCAD) at the Washington Hilton in Northwest Washington April 25.

The Guardsmen were at the WHCAD at the request of the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) as an additional patrol unit created specifically for the event, which celebrates the contributions of news organizations and independent journalists alike who provide notable coverage of the presidential administration.

“Our mission was to assist the U.S. Secret Service with crowd control,” said Capt. Kevin Peatrowsky, an operations officer with the Nebraska National Guard (NENG) assigned to JTF-DC.

As the Guardsmen were monitoring their area of operations, they saw USSS agents sprint toward the hotel entrance. “They were running full speed with their weapons drawn,” said Sgt. 1st. Class Allen Haney, a team member with the Arkansas National Guard. “We immediately followed suit.”

Staff Sgt. Kristen Confer, a NENG combat medic and battle captain, recalled her response to the incident: “We fell back on our basic training. You run toward danger and move in a way that makes sense for the situation.”

According to Confer, the Guardsmen entered the hotel and immediately began securing the scene and ensuring that the guests evacuated safely. At the direction of a federal agent, Confer began a rapid trauma assessment on the suspect, which resulted in finding knives and ammunition on the shooter. Simultaneously, the Arkansas Soldiers moved outside to provide crowd control at a pedestrian barricade outside the hotel.

“From there, we assisted wherever we could,” said 2nd Lt. Caleb Hill, a National Guardsman from North Dakota who served as the officer in charge of the mission. “We were initially helping with crowd control. After that, we realized that the USSS had begun rerouting everyone in the hotel, so we moved to the doors. We were controlling entry into the venue, so we had moved a couple more people outside, so we had 5 inside, 8 outside.” Both Arkansas and Nebraska worked well alongside one another and alongside the federal agencies. Hill also noted that relying on his Soldiers allowed him to move among teams, which helped him plan and coordinate with various agencies.

According to 1st Lt. Jonathan Goins, a platoon leader with the Arkansas National Guard, Arkansas Soldiers also helped establish a security perimeter for the presidential motorcade’s staging. Later, the team assisted federal agencies and MPD with crowd control, which helped clear the way for the President and Administration officials, he said.

“Guardsmen on this mission represent the very best of the nation,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Leland Blanchard II, the interim commanding general of the District of Columbia National Guard. “The world got a brief glimpse, but I see them each day serving and doing amazing things across the District.”

North Dakota

North Dakota Congressional delegation reacts to King Charles visit, speech

Published

22 hours ago

April 29, 2026

Press Room

North Dakota Congressional delegation reacts to King Charles visit, speech

WASHINGTON (KMOT) – Members of North Dakota’s Congressional delegation shared their responses to King Charles’ visit to the United States this week, and his speech before a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.

Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-ND, provided the following statement:

“Welcoming King Charles III to a joint session of the Congress was a historic moment and a real time to reflect on the relationship between our two nation’s dating back more than 250 years. His speech was funny, touching, and quite inspiring as he discussed the many positive outcomes of the alliance between the US and the UK.”

Sen. John Hoeven, R-ND, provided the following statement:

“King Charles’ visit to the U.S. and his address to Congress celebrate the enduring friendship between our two nations. In particular, I welcomed his focus on our shared values and traditions and our nations’ rich histories, which bind us closely together. As we face increased threats from our adversaries, this is a tremendous opportunity to reaffirm our continued relationship as allies and our commitment to defending our people and our way of life.”

Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-ND, provided the following statement:

“To hear King Charles III address Congress while I’m a member of it is really special for me. I can’t help but think about myself, a 14th generation American with three ancestors actually on the Mayflower, the ‘original rebels’ if you will. It is moments like this that remind us the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom transcends history and it maintains relevance today. The King, like the President at the White House, talked about values that the President said was handed down to Americans from our family from Great Britain: freedom, democracy, the rule of law. It’s remarkable when you think about the timing of this visit and this speech. Here we are as we celebrate 250 years of American independence from Great Britain, and it shows us how far we’ve come. Two countries who were once on opposite sides of a war, as well as an ocean, are now among the closest allies in the world.

“From the White House ceremony to today’s address before Congress, the whole visit really puts this important, geopolitical, family partnership on full display for the world to see. I was grateful to witness history and to be part of welcoming Their Majesties.”

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North Dakota

North Dakota State Lands Tight End Commit With NFL Tie

Published

1 day ago

April 28, 2026

Press Room

North Dakota State Lands Tight End Commit With NFL Tie

Getty

Another Watertown, South Dakota, standout hopes to follow in Spencer Waege’s footsteps.

North Dakota State added a tight end to the 2027 recruiting class on Monday, as the program’s first FBS recruiting class continues to fill out.

Watertown, South Dakota, standout Hunter Peterson announced his commitment to the Bison on Monday via social media. A 6-foot-3, 225-pound junior, Peterson tallied 28 catches for 365 yards and five touchdowns last season.

“Committed,” Peterson posted on X with a graphic that featured the Bison and his high school.

Before his junior season, Peterson worked with former Watertown and Bison standout Spencer Waege, who had a brief career in the NFL as a defensive end. Waege played for the Bison from 2017 to 2022 before he entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2023. He joined the Green Bay Packers in 2024 and participated in training camp and the preseason.

“He’s a big deal,” Peterson told InForum’s Dom Izzo on April 15 before his official social media announcement. “I got to work with him a little in my sophomore year when he was training for the NFL still, and I would talk to him a lot, and he kept always asking ‘hey, when are you going to commit?’”

Peterson also had an offer from Air Force, which also plays in the Mountain West Conference. The Bison will play their first season in the Mountain West this year and open conference play with Air Force.

“Ever since I’ve gone up there, I just felt like it’s been a fit every time,” Peterson told Izzo. “I love the coaches, facilities, and like the competitiveness they had. I think their mindset and approach is like pretty similar to mine.”

The All-State standout played both tight end and defensive end for the Arrows last season. He tallied 34 tackles on defense, as he helped his team reach the Class 11AA state quarterfinals amid a 5-5 record.

NDSU Has Produced NFL Tight Ends Before

NDSU has enjoyed success in developing tight ends who can reach the pros.

Ben Ellefson entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. He also played for the Minnesota Vikings between 2021 and 2022 before he joined the offensive staff. Ellefson won three FCS titles with the Bison between 2015 and 2019.

Noah Gindorff made it as an undrafted free agent in 2023, and he played briefly for the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers. Gindorff played for the Bison from 2017 to 2022 and won four FCS championships.

Josh Babicz played for the Bison between 2017 and 2021 with three FCS titles before he tried his hand at the NFL. He first signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers in 2022, and he also spent time in the Green Bay Packers practice squad that year and in 2023.

How NDSU’s Tight End Room Looks Going Into 2026

Tight end has been a critical part of the NDSU offense over the years, NDSU will look to build the tight end room in Year One as an FBS program.

Last season, Reis Kessel was the go-to tight end in the passing game with 15 catches for 335 yards and a touchdown as a freshman. The Bison also have upperclassmen tight ends such as senior Luke Kokat, who played a major blocking role in 13 games last season. Fellow senior Kaden Zenzen also played in 13 games last year and had two starts.

Junior tight end Abraham Myers appeared in three games last year after he moved from defensive end. Younger tight ends in the room include sophomore Jett Zabel, who played in nine games last season, and redshirt freshman Gabriel Cunningham, who played one game last year.

Matthew Davis covers the NFL, WNBA and college sports for Heavy.com. As a contributing writer to the StarTribune, he has also covered Minnesota prep sports since 2016. More about Matthew Davis

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