The full picture · 12 sources
Two Bismarck men arrested in fatal October 2 crash
Updated Oct 19, 1:39 AM CT. Every fact below links to the source that reported it.
What the primary sources show
- Schestler and Seidel were driving at high speeds and passing vehicles in an area not designated for traffic when Schestler's 2011 Infiniti collided with a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox. [Bismarck Police Department] [Bismarck Police Department]
- Schestler was charged with two counts of manslaughter, reckless endangerment with extreme indifference, and aggravated reckless driving. [People of Bismarck Reporting News (public group)] [Bismarck Police Department]
- Seidel was charged with child neglect, reckless endangerment with extreme indifference, and reckless driving. [People of Bismarck Reporting News (public group)] [Bismarck Police Department]
- None of the occupants of either vehicle were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash. [Bismarck Police Department] [Bismarck Police Department]
What they left out / still unanswered
- Date and outcome of the initial court appearance mentioned for Monday afternoon
- Whether the defendants will be released on bond or held without bond
- Trial timeline and next procedural steps
Official line vs. how each source framed it
- People of Bismarck Reporting News (public group): Facebook community group provided official charge details, penalty ranges for each charge class, and clarification that all defendants are presumed innocent. Read it →
- KX News: KX News focused on racing as the cause, reported that neither driver was wearing a seatbelt, and emphasized the Equinox driver had no connection to the two racers. Read it → · Ads
- KFYR-TV: KFYR-TV reported investigation findings and noted that a joint funeral for the two deceased students was held at Mandan High School. Read it → · Ads
- Bismarck Police Department: Bismarck Police provided detailed investigation findings including vehicle makes and model years, specific intersection details, and that Schestler accelerated away from Seidel before impact. Read it →
- Bismarck Tribune: Bismarck Tribune reported that hundreds attended a joint funeral mass for the two Mandan teenagers. Read it → · Paywall
- Bismarck Source: Bismarck Source added community context by identifying the students' school activities: Ben Moch played hockey, Taylor Fisher played tennis and was in Future Business Leaders of America. Read it →
- Bismarck Source: Bismarck Source emphasized community mourning response, described the crash as street racing, and noted a makeshift memorial was established at the crash location. Read it →
701 News writes these summaries from the sources above and checks every sentence against them. Read the originals for the full reporting. Corrections