UPDATE – Motorcyclist seriously injured in accident in Ransom County during 9/11 tribute ride

RANSOM COUNTY, ND (NewsDakota.com) – New information has been released about an accident that left a Jamestown man seriously injured on September 15, 2024 during a 9/11 remembrance ride near Fort Ransom.

The accident occurred at approximately 3:21 p.m. about five miles southwest of Fort Ransom. Monte Rodacker, 63, of Jamestown, was riding his 2000 Honda Shadow among a group of about 300 motorcycles participating in the memorial ride that began in Valley City.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, a group of motorcycles passed Rodacker at a high rate of speed and then suddenly braked to negotiate a curve. Rodacker had to brake abruptly to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle onto the roadway.

Rodacker suffered serious injuries and was initially taken by ambulance to Lisbon, ND, before being flown by helicopter to Sanford Hospital in Fargo. He was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.

After Rodacker was thrown from his motorcycle, his Honda Shadow crashed into a 2016 Harley Davidson driven by Darwin Kurtz, 66, of Jamestown. Kurtz was not injured and his behavior did not contribute to the accident.

No charges have been filed in connection with the incident. Authorities thanked participants of the 9/11 tribute ride for their information. The investigation is complete and the driver of a trike, initially identified as a suspect, has been cleared of any involvement.

The North Dakota Highway Patrol, Ransom County Sheriff's Department, Fort Ransom Fire Department and First Medic Ambulance arrived at the scene.