FARGO, ND — A 36-year-old Horace man was critically injured early Sunday after his motorcycle hit a Subaru at a downtown Fargo intersection, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol. State troopers say the rider ran a red light at University Drive and Main Avenue, was thrown from the bike and suffered life-threatening injuries.
The crash happened at about 4:14 a.m. on Sept. 20, 2026. Investigators say the rider was on a 2013 Harley-Davidson traveling south on University Drive when he entered the intersection against the signal. The motorcycle struck the rear passenger side of a 2011 Subaru Forester driven by a 61-year-old Fargo man heading west on Main Avenue.
How the collision unfolded at University Drive and Main Avenue
According to troopers, the Subaru entered the intersection on a green light. The impact sent the motorcycle rider into the intersection after he hit the side of the vehicle.
The Subaru carried two people. The driver and a 65-year-old male passenger were not injured in the collision. Investigators said both men were wearing seat belts at the time.
The crash happened in dry conditions with clear weather, which troopers say ruled out road or visibility problems as immediate factors. The North Dakota Highway Patrol is still reviewing the circumstances that led to the impact.
The rider was not wearing a helmet and was taken to Sanford Hospital
State troopers confirmed the Horace man was not wearing a helmet when the motorcycle crash happened. Emergency crews transported him by Sanford Ambulance to Sanford Hospital for treatment of the serious injuries.
Officials described the injuries as life-threatening. No additional medical update was released. The crash drew help from Sanford Ambulance, the Fargo Police Department and the Fargo Fire Department, along with state troopers.
The scene was handled as an active injury crash while responders worked to care for the motorcyclist and clear the intersection.
Charges filed after the crash
In addition to the crash investigation, the Horace man faces criminal charges tied to the incident. Troopers say he is charged with Class B misdemeanor driving under the influence and Class C felony possession of drug paraphernalia.
Authorities did not release further details about the alleged substances or the paraphernalia charge. The charges were announced after the collision and remain separate from the injury investigation itself.
The North Dakota Highway Patrol has not said whether additional charges are possible. The case remains under review as investigators continue gathering information from the crash scene and emergency responders.
No one else was hurt in the downtown Fargo crash
The Subaru driver and passenger were checked at the scene but did not need treatment, according to troopers. Their lack of injury sharply contrasted with the condition of the motorcyclist, who was ejected from the bike in the collision.
Investigators also said the Subaru’s occupants were properly restrained, while the motorcycle rider was not wearing a helmet. Those details are part of the broader reconstruction of how the crash occurred and why the outcome was so severe for the rider.
Officials have not said whether speed played a role. At this stage, the focus remains on the signal violation, the impact and the criminal charges announced after the crash.
North Dakota Highway Patrol continues the investigation with local agencies
The North Dakota Highway Patrol remains the lead agency in the crash investigation. Fargo police, Fargo firefighters and Sanford Ambulance assisted at the scene and during the response.
Troopers have not said when the investigation will be completed. For now, the case centers on a late-night downtown collision, a rider who entered the intersection against a red light and the serious injuries that followed.
Authorities have released only the basic facts of the crash and the charges. Any further updates would come from investigators as they finish reviewing witness accounts, vehicle positions and other evidence from the intersection.
