North Dakota – The North Dakota Highway Patrol is warning drivers about the dangers of using interstate median crossovers illegally after a crash near I-29 left three people injured, damaged three vehicles and frightened a dog that was among the seven total occupants.

According to the Highway Patrol, a Toyota Camry slowed down to make a turn around at a median crossover near mile marker 136 on I-29. A GMC Acadia then struck the Camry before glancing off it and sideswiping a Honda Odyssey.

The crash involved three vehicles and seven occupants in total. Three people were injured in the collision, while a dog traveling in one of the vehicles was also left frightened by the incident.

The driver of the Toyota Camry was cited for Care Required following the crash. The citation carries a $30 fine and two points on the driver’s license.

The Highway Patrol used the incident to emphasize that median crossovers along the interstate are not intended for ordinary motorists to use when turning around.

“Save 10 minutes or cross the median illegally?” the agency asked in its warning.

The Highway Patrol said drivers heading toward Thompson could have safely continued and taken another route to turn around, adding that doing so would have taken about 10 additional minutes.

Instead, the decision to use the median crossover resulted in a chain-reaction collision involving three vehicles and multiple injuries.

The agency urged motorists not to take the risk simply to save a few minutes.

“10 minutes to Thompson to safely turn around,” the Highway Patrol said, contrasting the safer option with the consequences of crossing the median illegally.

The warning comes as the agency continues to remind motorists that interstate median crossovers are restricted to authorized vehicles. Drivers who use them when they are not permitted to do so can create dangerous situations for themselves and other motorists traveling at highway speeds.

In this case, the Camry slowed to make the turnaround, after which the Acadia collided with it and then made contact with the Odyssey.

The Highway Patrol emphasized that a few extra minutes on the road are not worth the potential consequences of an unsafe or unauthorized maneuver.

The agency encouraged drivers who miss an exit or need to change direction to continue to an authorized location where they can safely turn around rather than attempting to cross the interstate median.

The crash serves as a reminder that seemingly minor shortcuts on interstate highways can quickly lead to serious collisions, injuries and significant vehicle damage.