Authorities in Clay County say a 24-year-old man from Fargo was found dead in a passenger car that ended up in the Buffalo River north of Dilworth Thursday evening.
Discovery and response
Clay County deputies were dispatched just before 5 p.m. after a caller reported a vehicle in the Buffalo River near 90th Avenue North and 50th Street. The caller told dispatchers they
“did not witness the vehicle enter the river but saw the vehicle in the river and tire skid marks on the roadway.”
When a deputy arrived, officials located a BMW passenger car on the east bank of the Buffalo River. The vehicle was occupied by a single person, who was pronounced deceased at the scene. The sheriff’s office said the man was 24 years old and lived in Fargo; his identity is being withheld pending family notification.
Agencies involved and ongoing investigation
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and announced that it was assisted at the scene by the Minnesota State Patrol, Sanford Ambulance, the Dilworth Fire Department and the Red River Regional Dispatch Center. County authorities said the incident remains under investigation and that no further information will be released at this time.
| Timeframe | Event |
|---|---|
| Just before 5 p.m. Thursday | Report of vehicle in river near 90th Ave N & 50th St |
| Shortly after | Deputy located BMW on east bank; one occupant pronounced deceased |
Investigative details provided publicly were limited. The sheriff’s office did not release the victim’s name, the cause of the incident or any information on potential witnesses beyond the initial caller. Officials also did not indicate whether impairment, speed, road conditions or mechanical failure were factors.
Local context and implications
While the location of the incident—north of Dilworth along a county road—lies just over the Minnesota border, the deceased is a Fargo resident, linking the event directly to the Fargo community. Families and neighbors in Fargo may be affected as authorities complete notifications and continue the inquiry.
Searches and recoveries involving waterways typically require coordination among multiple agencies. In this case, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office worked with state patrol, municipal fire and emergency medical services and the regional dispatch center, underscoring cross-jurisdiction cooperation for incidents that occur on or near interstate waterways and roadways that serve Fargo-area residents.
- Victim: 24-year-old male from Fargo, identity withheld pending family notification
- Location: Buffalo River near 90th Avenue North & 50th Street, north of Dilworth
- Status: Investigation ongoing; limited information released by authorities
Investigations of this type can take time, as agencies confirm identity, determine cause and collect evidence from the vehicle and scene. The sheriff’s office’s announcement that no additional information will be released at this time suggests officials are following standard procedures for family notification and evidence preservation.
Anyone who may have been in the area around the time of the incident or who has information that could assist investigators is typically asked to contact the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The office has not released a phone number or specific request in its statement, but local law-enforcement contacts and the regional dispatch center may route tips to the investigating deputies.
As the investigation proceeds, updates may be released by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office or through partner agencies. For Fargo residents seeking information about next steps—such as support for family members or community resources—local city and county services can provide guidance once authorities complete notifications and release additional details.
