2 missionaries killed in car crash in North Dakota, including a man from Riverton

SALT LAKE CITY – Two 20-year-old missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were killed Tuesday when they crashed into the back of a stationary semi-trailer truck on a North Dakota highway.

The driver, Robert “Tommy” Gardner of Riverton, and passenger Jacob Aaron Kesler of Ely, Nevada, were both pronounced dead at the scene.

Kesler has served in the North Dakota Bismarck Mission since July 2022 and Gardner since November 2022.

According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the accident occurred shortly after 2:30 p.m., 11 miles south of Beulah, North Dakota.

Traffic came to a standstill after a vehicle fire blocked the northbound lanes of North Dakota Highway 49, officials say, including the truck involved in the crash. The driver “did not see the semi-truck stopped in the road,” a news release said, and his SUV struck the trailer.

The driver of the semi-trailer truck was uninjured. Both victims were wearing seat belts.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement Wednesday saying, “We send our love and condolences to the families and friends of Elder Kesler and Elder Gardner, as well as their fellow missionaries. We pray that they all find comfort and peace during this tragic time as they reflect on how faithfully these young men served the Savior by proclaiming His gospel.”

The North Dakota Highway Patrol says the accident remains under investigation.