Robert Gardner, Jacob Aaron Kesler Death – Two young missionaries, aged 20, who were members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, lost their lives in a tragic accident on a North Dakota highway. The driver, Robert “Tommy” Gardner, hailing from Riverton, and his passenger, Jacob Aaron Kesler, from Ely, Nevada, were both declared deceased at the scene of the collision. Kesler had been serving in the North Dakota Bismarck Mission since July 2022, while Gardner had started his mission in November 2022.
According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, the crash occurred a little after 2:30 p.m., approximately 11 miles south of Beulah, North Dakota. The traffic had come to a halt due to a vehicle fire that had blocked the northbound lanes of North Dakota Highway 49, including the truck involved in the accident. Unfortunately, the driver failed to notice the stopped semitruck on the road, resulting in their SUV colliding with the trailer.
Thankfully, the driver of the semitruck escaped unharmed, and both victims were wearing seatbelts at the time of the accident. The North Dakota Highway Patrol is currently investigating the crash.
In response to this heartbreaking incident, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued a statement expressing their love and condolences to the families, friends, and fellow missionaries of Elder Kesler and Elder Gardner. They offered prayers for comfort and peace during this difficult time, acknowledging the dedicated service these young men had rendered in sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing, as stated by the North Dakota Highway Patrol.