Texas man arrested after police pursuit in West Fargo

Photo by: Cass County Jail
Photo by: Cass County Jail

(West Fargo, ND) -- An Amarillo, Texas man is in custody after leading West Fargo Police and the Cass County Sheriff's Office on a chase this past Friday.

The department tells WDAY Radio that At approximately 11:30 p.m, Friday, July 15th, officers responded to a report of reckless driving in the Red River Valley Fair parking lot, near Main Avenue and 15th Street West.

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

The victim vehicle sustained heavy damage, catching fire while a juvenile passenger was trapped inside. Sheriff’s deputies utilized fire extinguishers to knock down the vehicle fire until the West Fargo Fire Department could arrive to finish with extrication.

Garcia then fled from the scene on foot and was caught shortly after in the 1600 block of 13th Avenue East. He is facing a number of charges including Reckless Endangerment and Fleeing, both Class C felonies. Additional charges are pending.

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