One Dead After Crash Involving Hatton-Northwood Volleyball Team

PETERSBURG, ND—One person was killed and over two dozen people associated with the Hatton-Northwood school volleyball team were injured in an accident Thursday afternoon south of Petersburg.  The volleyball team was on its way to a game in Petersburg when the crash happened around 3:45 Thursday afternoon.  The North Dakota Highway Patrol says the team’s bus, which was driven by 56-year-old Shari Bilden of Northwood, was going north on Highway 32.  A pickup driven by 68-year-old Archie Gronvold of Barton, North Dakota was going west on Nelson County Road 4. While Gronvold’s pickup was crossing 32, it was hit on the driver’s side by the bus.  Both vehicles ended up in the slough, with the school bus landing on its side.  Gronvold was pronounced dead at the scene.  Bilden, Coach Jana Mehus and 25 team members between the ages of 14 and 17 were all taken to Altru Hospital in Grand Forks for treatment of injuries–none of which are considered life-threatening.  The Highway Patrol continues to investigate the accident.

(Photo courtesy: North Dakota Highway Patrol)