# Fargo car meets face racing backlash

> After deadly crashes near Fargo-Moorhead, a car club says meets are not races while the sheriff pushes for stronger penalties.
- Title: Fargo car meets face racing backlash · Valleynewslive
- Summary: After deadly crashes near Fargo-Moorhead, a car club says meets are not races while the sheriff pushes for stronger penalties. Car meets and street racing…
- Keywords: fargo, moorhead, 701’s most wanted, cass county sheriff, jesse jahner, street racing, car meets, ian frye, university drive, police fleeing, tiktok dares, north dakota
- Source: Valleynewslive — https://valleynewslive.com/2026/09/16/fargo-moorhead-car-club-defends-meets-sheriff-warns-street-racing-danger
- Published: 2026-09-16T00:19:52.399+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: fargo, moorhead, 701’s most wanted, cass county sheriff, jesse jahner, street racing, car meets, ian frye, university drive, police fleeing, tiktok dares, north dakota
## Meets turn deadly
Late-night car meets around Fargo-Moorhead have become tied to wrecked vehicles, serious injuries and grieving families. Police and a local car group now disagree over who is responsible.
## Club denies blame
701’s Most Wanted says it does not know the driver of a white Chrysler named by deputies. The group says its videos are for entertainment, not an invite to race.

> we here at 701’s Most Wanted don’t know him
## Police see danger after
The club says most meetups happen with officers nearby and without illegal activity. Sheriff Jesse Jahner says the danger often starts when drivers leave and try to escape police.

> When vehicles are fleeing from us, it’s like they get tunnel vision.
## Two crashes raise stakes
Ian Frye, 49, was killed last month when troopers say a driver fleeing a street-racing event hit him at more than 100 mph. Another driver later hit a motorcycle and car at 120 mph.
## Social media feeds it
Both Jahner and the car club say online videos are pushing drivers to act bolder. Jahner pointed to street-racing clips and TikTok dares spreading across the country.

> That trend has trickled down
## Sheriff wants tougher laws
Jahner says fleeing penalties do not deter drivers and five legislators have contacted him. The club says reckless drivers are not welcome and it is willing to meet with authorities.

> We just want the behavior to stop.
## Key takeaway

Car meets and street racing are being treated as separate by the club, but police say dangerous fleeing after meetups is putting the public at risk.