At approximately 11:30 p.m., Friday, July 15, 2022, the West Fargo Police Department responded to a report of reckless driving in the Red River Valley Fair parking lot, near Main Avenue and 15th Street W. 

Officers identified Matthew Garcia, a 32-year old male from Amarillo, Texas, as the driver. Cass County Sheriff’s Office Deputies initially attempted to stop the vehicle as it fled, running a red light at 15th Street W. West Fargo Police Officers were in the area and observed the violations as Garcia continued fleeing east on Main Avenue W. into West Fargo. Garcia struck an uninvolved victim vehicle at the intersection of Sheyenne Street and Main Avenue. 

The victim vehicle sustained heavy damage and a juvenile passenger was trapped in the vehicle, which quickly caught fire. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office utilized fire extinguishers to knock down the vehicle fire until the West Fargo Fire Department could arrive to finish with extrication. 

Garcia fled from the scene on foot and was apprehended a short time later by the West Fargo Police Department in the 1600 block of 13th Avenue E. Garcia is facing a number of charges including Reckless Endangerment and Fleeing, both Class C felonies. Additional charges are possible. 

The victim vehicle’s passengers sustained minor injuries and were transported to a hospital. A passenger in Garcia’s vehicle sustained a leg injury and was also transported to a hospital. Several West Fargo Police Officers were checked at the scene for smoke related injuries. 

The West Fargo Police Department would like to thank the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, West Fargo Fire Department and Sanford Ambulance for their assistance.