Two Arrested in Fatal Bismarck Crash That Killed Mandan Teens

What the primary sources show

• Cameron Schestler, 19, and Sidney Seidel, 19, were arrested October 16, 2026, in connection with an October 2 crash at West Main Avenue and Center Street that killed two people. [People of Bismarck Reporting News (public group)] [Bismarck Police Department]
• Schestler was charged with two counts of manslaughter along with reckless endangerment and aggravated reckless driving; Seidel was charged with child neglect, reckless endangerment, and reckless driving. [People of Bismarck Reporting News (public group)] [Bismarck Police Department]
• The driver, who was 15 years old, suffered serious injuries but was released from the hospital, and investigators found that none of the occupants of either vehicle were wearing seatbelts. [KFYR-TV] [Bismarck Police Department]
• Investigators determined that Schestler's vehicle speed significantly reduced the time available for the other driver to react, and Seidel had two passengers in his vehicle including an infant. [Bismarck Police Department] [People of Bismarck Reporting News (public group)]

What they left out / still unanswered

• Will the drivers be released on bond, and if so, under what conditions?
• When are the trial dates scheduled?
• Did either driver have prior traffic violations or incidents before this crash?

Official line vs. how each source framed it

• People of Bismarck Reporting News (public group): Official Bismarck Police Department statement detailing charges against both drivers with complete definitions of felonies and misdemeanors and investigation findings. Read it →
• KX News: Brief report identifying two Bismarck men arrested following the October 2 crash that killed two Mandan teenagers. Read it → · Ads
• KFYR-TV: Technical investigation details including vehicle types, seatbelt violations, hospital discharge timelines, and determination that drivers and victims had no prior association. Read it → · Ads
• Bismarck Police Department: Complete official investigation summary from Bismarck Police including detailed roadway information, vehicle models, and finding that Schestler accelerated away from Seidel before impact. Read it →
• Bismarck Tribune: Community response coverage of joint funeral service held Monday for the two victims at Mandan High School. Read it → · Paywall
• Bismarck Tribune: Arrest headline reporting two men arrested in connection with the October 2 crash that killed Mandan teenagers. Read it → · Paywall
• Bismarck Source: Biographical details about victims including Ben Moch's hockey participation and Taylor Fisher's tennis and leadership activities at Mandan High School. Read it →

On the ground: what neighbors are saying

Several commenters expressed relief that both drivers were arrested and praised law enforcement work. Others emphasized seatbelt safety and showed sympathy for the driver, who was 15 years old. Some questioned the timeline for convictions and called for stricter penalties including vehicle confiscation.

From 20 public Facebook comments. Community talk, not verified.

701 News writes these summaries from the sources above and checks every sentence against them. Read the originals for the full reporting. Corrections

← All Bismarck-Mandan news