Suspect Under the Influence Uses SUV to Strike Officer, Prompting Fatal Police Response in Bismarck

On March 7, 2025, at 12:08 p.m. Bismarck Police Officers Matthew James and Officer Nathan Anderson were dispatched to the 1100 block of 12th Street, in response to a 911 text referencing an individual, later identified as 53-year-old Melanie Udell, in a white Chevy Traverse. The caller indicated that Udell was possibly under the influence.

The texture later indicated the suspect was escalating in her behavior. Officer James and Officer Anderson arrived at approximately 12:12 p.m.. Officer Anderson met with the witness and he explained his concern for the suspect and reason for contacting 911. This included his fear that the suspect was going to run him over with her car. Officer James spoke with Udell at her driver's door for over 6 minutes. They engaged in a seemingly normal conversation.

During the conversation Officer James smelled an odor of marijuana and alcohol coming from the vehicle. She was asked to step out of the vehicle, so the officer could conduct a proper investigation and the suspect refused. She started her car, backed up her vehicle and drove forward at Officer James. He was able to push away from the vehicle to avoid being struck. She then backed up again and quickly accelerated, deliberately turned her vehicle towards officers, ultimately striking officer James, causing him to be violently launched over the snowbank. Officer James was thrown against the fence with such force that his firearm flew out of his hand and landed on the other side of the fence.

At the same time as Udell was striking Officer James with her vehicle, Officer Anderson engaged the threat, striking Udell with shots from his duty weapon. Udell's vehicle came to rest on top of the snowbank, which was just a few feet from where Officer James was laying, still directly in the path of the vehicle.

Officer James sustained injuries to his head, hands and leg, after being hit by the front of the vehicle and launched into the air. His head landed partially under the fence. He was transported from the scene to the hospital and was released later in the day. Udell was shot and pronounced dead at the hospital.

After the shooting, both officers were required to go on administrative leave. Officer James requires knee surgery, and it will likely be at least a year before he’s ready to return to regular duty. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation determined that the officer’s use of a gun was justifiable.

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