Man killed in Wednesday Moorhead crash identified

MOORHEAD — The Moorhead Police Department has identified the man killed in a single-vehicle crash Wednesday, Oct. 21, in Moorhead. Matthew Pitzel, 61, of Moorhead, experienced a medical emergency while driving, which led to the crash, according to a police department news release. At about 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, Red River Valley Dispatch was notified that a vehicle had left the roadway and struck a fence and a tree in the 2200 block of 34th Street South in Moorhead. The vehicle caught fire following the crash, and Pitzel was trapped inside. Several bystanders stopped and attempted to assist prior to the arrival of emergency responders, according to the release. Moorhead police and fire personnel responded to the scene, and firefighters extricated Pitzel, who was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. He sustained life‑threatening injuries and was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, where he later died despite lifesaving efforts.]]>