In a deeply tragic incident that has shaken the Moorhead community, a 9-year-old boy was struck and killed by a City of Moorhead public works truck while crossing the street late Thursday morning.
The fatal collision occurred at approximately 11:44 a.m. on Thursday, July 31, at the intersection of 40th Avenue and 14th Street South—a well-trafficked area near several residential neighborhoods.
According to preliminary reports from local authorities, a city-owned Mack straight truck was traveling northbound on 14th Street when it struck the child as he was using a marked pedestrian crosswalk. Emergency responders rushed to the scene, but despite their immediate efforts, the child was pronounced dead on site.
The young pedestrian has been identified as Adam Zakaria Amin, a resident of Moorhead.
The truck was being operated by 64-year-old Victor Carl Port, of West Fargo. Officials confirmed that Port, a City of Moorhead public works employee, was on duty at the time of the incident. Port was wearing his seatbelt, and reports indicate that the vehicle’s airbags did not deploy. He was not physically injured in the collision.
Multiple agencies, including Moorhead Police, Clay County Sheriff’s deputies, the Moorhead Fire Department, and the Minnesota State Patrol, responded to the crash. As of Friday morning, investigators had not released any further information about potential contributing factors such as speed, distraction, visibility, or vehicle condition.
Authorities say the investigation is active and ongoing, and no citations or criminal charges have been filed at this time. Law enforcement is expected to conduct a full reconstruction of the crash, including a detailed review of traffic camera footage, vehicle diagnostics, and witness interviews.
The sudden and heartbreaking loss of such a young life has sent waves of grief across the community. Local residents have begun placing flowers and messages of sympathy near the intersection as a small memorial to honor Adam’s memory.
City officials have expressed their condolences to the boy’s family and pledged full cooperation with the investigation. Meanwhile, community leaders are urging the public to remain patient and allow the investigation to run its course, while also highlighting the importance of pedestrian safety and caution in school zones and residential areas.
Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available. In the meantime, the City of Moorhead is expected to review internal protocols for vehicle operation, particularly in high-pedestrian traffic areas.
The tragic accident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of vigilance—for both drivers and pedestrians—and the profound consequences a single moment on the road can have.