LDS missionaries from Riverton and Ely killed in traffic accident in North Dakota

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, June 5, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) – Two missionaries of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints died Tuesday in a traffic accident near Beulah, North Dakota.

Elder Robert “Tommy” Gardner of Riverton, Utah, and Elder Jacob Aaron Kesler of Ely, Nevada, were both 20 years old.

They were fatally injured when their vehicle collided with a semi-trailer truck that had stopped on the highway due to an accident, the church said in a statement released Wednesday.

Both men died at the scene of the accident.

“Elder Kesler has served since July 2022 and Elder Gardner since November 2022,” the church statement said.

“We send our love and condolences to the families and friends of Elder Kesler and Elder Gardner and their fellow missionaries in the North Dakota Bismarck Mission.

“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.”