2 missionaries killed in North Dakota automotive crash, together with Riverton man

SALT LAKE CITY — Two 20-year-old Latter-day Saint missionaries have been killed after crashing into the again of a stopped semitruck on a North Dakota freeway Tuesday.

The driving force, Robert “Tommy” Gardner, from Riverton, and passenger Jacob Aaron Kesler, from Ely, Nevada, have been each pronounced lifeless on the scene of the collision.

Kesler had been serving within the North Dakota Bismarck Mission since July 2022, and Gardner since November 2022.

The crash occurred at little after 2:30 p.m., 11 miles south of Beulah, North Dakota, in accordance with the North Dakota Freeway Patrol.

Visitors got here to a cease after a automobile hearth blocked the northbound lanes of North Dakota Freeway 49, officers report, together with the truck concerned within the accident. The driving force “didn’t see the stopped semi within the roadway,” in accordance with a launch, and their SUV struck the trailer.

The driving force of the semitruck was not injured. Each victims have been carrying seatbelts.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints launched a press release Wednesday, saying, “We ship our love and condolences to Elder Kesler’s and Elder Gardner’s households and buddies and their fellow missionaries. We pray they are going to every be comforted and really feel peace throughout this tragic time as they replicate on the devoted service these younger males have given to the Savior, by sharing his gospel.”

The North Dakota Freeway Patrol says the crash stays beneath investigation.