St. Paul Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase in Grand Forks

Authorities say the suspect drove into oncoming traffic and reached speeds over 100 mph before being stopped.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 9:43pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a set of damaged car sensors and lenses, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the aftermath of a high-speed chase and vehicular vandalism.The aftermath of a high-speed police chase exposes the damaged sensors and lenses of a vehicle, raising concerns about the risks of vehicular vandalism and the need for public safety measures.Grand Forks Today

A 38-year-old man from St. Paul, Minnesota was arrested early this morning after leading police on a high-speed chase through the streets of Grand Forks, North Dakota. The pursuit began when sheriff's deputies attempted to pull Wangen over on I-29 for a lane violation, but he refused to stop. The chase reached speeds of up to 100 mph and at one point Wangen drove into oncoming traffic on Demers Avenue before deputies were able to use spike strips and a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle on County Road 81.

Why it matters

High-speed police chases pose a serious risk to public safety, often resulting in injuries or property damage. This incident highlights the dangers that can arise when suspects refuse to comply with law enforcement and the measures officers must take to apprehend them and protect the community.

The details

According to authorities, just before 4 a.m. this morning, sheriff's deputies tried to pull over 38-year-old Aaron Wangen on I-29 for a lane violation. Wangen refused to stop and led the deputies on a chase through the city streets of Grand Forks. At one point, Wangen drove into oncoming traffic on Demers Avenue, reaching speeds over 100 mph. Deputies were eventually able to use spike strips and a PIT maneuver to stop Wangen's vehicle on County Road 81.

  • The chase began just before 4 a.m. on April 6, 2026.
  • Wangen drove into oncoming traffic on Demers Avenue during the pursuit.

The players

Aaron Wangen

A 38-year-old man from St. Paul, Minnesota who led police on a high-speed chase through Grand Forks.

Grand Forks Sheriff's Department

The law enforcement agency that initiated the traffic stop and pursued Wangen through the city streets.

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What’s next

Wangen faces several charges, including fleeing, reckless endangerment, and DUI. He will appear before a judge who will determine if he should be released on bail.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the serious risks that high-speed police chases pose to public safety and the difficult decisions law enforcement must make to apprehend suspects who refuse to comply with lawful orders. It also raises questions about bail policies and whether repeat offenders should be released back into the community.