Fargo man killed in rollover crash

A Fargo, N.D., man was killed in a rollover crash Saturday night in Richland County, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.

The patrol said Melanie Flegel, 37, Fargo, was driving a 2005 Ford Freestar van at 10:12 p.m. while going northbound on Richland County Road 81 from the casino in Hankinson, N.D., to Fargo. Near the intersection with Richland County Road 2, the van left the roadway and entered the east ditch, where it struck an approach and vaulted. The van rolled several times in the ditch and came to a rest on its driver’s side facing south. Faith M. Blotsky, 31, and Ricky Santiago, 42, both of Fargo, were passengers in the vehicle. Flegel and Santiago were ejected during the crash.

Santiago was pronounced dead at the scene, the patrol said. Blotsky was injured and was taken to Innovis Hospital, Fargo, by a Life Flight helicopter. Flegel was also injured and was taken to Innovis by ambulance.

Santiage and Flegel were not wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, the patrol said. Blotsky had been wearing a seat belt.

The patrol said officers at the scene detected alcohol on Flegel and arrested her for driving under the influence of an alcoholic beverage.

The crash is still under investigation and will be forwarded to the Richland County state’s attorney’s office for prosecution.

Tags: richland county, fargo, accident, flegel