The Mandan, North Dakota, community is mourning the deaths of Taylor Fisher and Ben Moch, two teenagers who died after a devastating traffic crash in neighboring Bismarck. The tragedy has brought grief to their families, classmates, friends and the wider Mandan community as people remember two young lives lost far too soon.
Fisher, 16, died on October 2, 2026, from injuries sustained in the crash. Her death was confirmed by Weigel Funeral and Cremation Service, which described her passing as resulting from injuries suffered in a tragic traffic accident. Funeral arrangements were initially pending.
Moch, 17, also suffered serious injuries in the collision. According to Bismarck police and local reporting, he was a passenger in the Chevrolet Equinox involved in the crash and was ejected during the collision. He remained hospitalized for several days before dying from his injuries on Monday, October 5.
The crash occurred at approximately 8:35 p.m. Friday at the intersection of West Main Avenue and Missouri Avenue in Bismarck. Police said a westbound Infiniti collided with the passenger side of a Chevrolet Equinox that was turning left from Main Avenue onto Missouri Avenue. Fisher and Moch were passengers in the Equinox.
The Infiniti was driven by 19-year-old Cameron Schestler, who was the vehicle's only occupant. He suffered severe injuries but was expected to recover. The Equinox's 15-year-old driver was also expected to recover, while another 17-year-old passenger suffered serious injuries.
Investigators have said speed may have contributed to the crash. Police have also reported a preliminary allegation that Schestler may have been racing another vehicle. However, authorities emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, and those findings have not been established as final conclusions.
In the days following the collision, friends and community members created a memorial near the crash site, leaving flowers and messages of support. A candlelight vigil organized by a Mandan High School sports team drew hundreds of people seeking to honor those affected by the tragedy. Mandan Public Schools also made additional counseling available to students.
Moch was remembered particularly by the Mandan High School hockey community, where he wore number 11 and participated in the Peer2Peer club. His teammates described him as deeply loved and said his loss would be felt far beyond the locker room.
Funeral-home records confirm that both Fisher and Moch were Mandan residents. Their deaths have left families and a close-knit community facing profound grief while authorities continue working to determine the full circumstances of the crash.
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