Grand Forks County, ND – A police pursuit in Grand Forks County Tuesday evening ended in tragedy after a driver reportedly died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a short chase along Interstate 29.
According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol (NDHP), the incident began around 5:39 p.m. on January 2, 2026, when dispatchers received a 911 call about an erratic driver south of Grand Forks near mile marker 138. Troopers located the vehicle and initiated a traffic stop. The driver allegedly fled the scene, prompting a brief pursuit.
Authorities said the chase lasted about a mile before the vehicle became stuck in the median. The driver was later found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. The highway was closed around 6:00 p.m. and reopened partially at 6:20 p.m.
The Grand Forks Police Department, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NDBCI), and Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the scene. Officials confirmed that no law enforcement officers discharged their firearms during the incident.
Investigators continue to review the circumstances surrounding the pursuit. No additional details have been released as of Wednesday morning.
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