Update: Investigators looking into whether sex offender intentionally drove into bridge pillar

FARGO (KVRR) – An investigation is underway to determine whether a man intentionally drove his SUV into a bridge pillar on I-29 in Fargo Tuesday evening.

Forty-seven-year-old Jason Simeon, a convicted sex offender, was killed when he drove into a bridge pillar while the North Dakota Highway Patrol was attempting to stop him in Fargo.

The incident began in Glyndon, Minn., where Police Chief Justin Vogel says an officer attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver fled.  The officer did not pursue the vehicle.

North Dakota state troopers later attempted to stop Simeon on I-29, between 32nd Ave. S. and I-94.  Seconds after the troopers activated their emergency lights, the vehicle accelerated, swerved to the right and struck a bridge pillar for the I-94 overpass.

Simeon was the lone occupant.  He was dead at the scene.

Simeon was wanted by the Clay County, Minn. Sheriff’s Office for 1st degree sexual assault.  He also had a record of prior sex offense offenses and was currently under investigation for sexual assault.