FARGO - Police have released the names of a father and son injured when a motorcycle and semi truck collided on 25th Street South near Interstate 94 about 7 a.m. Monday.
Jason A. Viestenz, 29, of Fargo, was driving the motorcycle and was seriously injured. His son, Elijah Viestenz, 10, was the passenger.
Both were taken to Essentia Health, Lt. Joel Vettel said.
The boy was wearing a helmet, Vettel said. However, his father was not wearing a helmet and suffered much more severe injuries, Vettel said.
Elijah Viestenz was treated and released Monday, but his father remained in critical condition this morning, a hospital spokeswoman said.
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"We truly appreciate the prayers and support during this trying time," a representative of the Viestenz said in a statement released by Essentia.
Both vehicles were heading south on 25th Street South when the accident occurred.
The semi was swinging to the left to create enough clearance to make a right-hand turn on 23rd Avenue South, Vettel said. It was being followed by an oversized-load warning vehicle, he said.
As the truck tried to make the right-hand turn, the motorcycle, which was originally in the left lane, moved into the right lane, passing the warning vehicle at 30 to 40 mph, Vettel said.
The motorcycle continued in the right lane and tried to pass the semi on the right as it was making its right-hand turn, Vettel said.
The motorcycle then collided with the passenger-side front quarter panel on the semi, Vettel said.
