GLYNDON, Minn. (AP) — Two North Dakota State University students were killed and a third was injured in a crash on a snowy and icy interstate in Minnesota, authorities said Sunday.
The Minnesota State Patrol said Danie Thomssen, 18, of Fargo, North Dakota, and Carson Roney, 19, of Oakes, North Dakota, were killed in the crash that happened about 10 p.m. Saturday on Interstate 94 near Glyndon, in Minnesota’s Clay County.
Authorities say Thomssen was driving when the Chevy Cobalt lost control on the slick highway and slid into a guard rail in the median. Another passenger, Haley Visto, 18, of Oakes, was injured.
The state patrol said all three were wearing seat belts.
The Star Tribune reported Sunday that all three were sophomores at NDSU in Fargo. Roney and Thomssen were listed as biology majors on the student directory, and Roney had plans to become a doctor.
NDSU President Dean Bresciani said in a statement Sunday that the university community is “deeply saddened by this tragedy” and he offered condolences to the victims’ families, friends and classmates.
A brief biography about Roney that was released in May by the provider of a college financial aid award says he intended to return to Oakes and practice medicine and take over the family farm. The Star Tribune reported that he played basketball, football and ran track at Oakes High School.
Thomssen, who graduated from Bismarck Century High School, played saxophone in the NDSU Gold Star Marching Band. Band director Sigurd Johnson said a couple of Thomssen’s best friends in the band were also from Bismarck.
“This is going to be especially difficult for them, no doubt,” Johnson said.