Ian Frye Obituary, CASS COUNTY, N.D. — Ian Frye, 49, of Christine, North Dakota, was killed early Sunday morning in a crash south of Fargo after a vehicle fleeing from a traffic stop collided with his car, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
The fatal crash occurred shortly after midnight near Wild Rice at the intersection of Cass County Roads 14 and 81. Authorities said the incident began when a trooper attempted to stop 19-year-old Cornelio Vasquez IV of Grand Forks for allegedly driving 109 mph in a 55-mph zone.
According to the North Dakota Highway Patrol, Vasquez did not stop and instead fled from the traffic stop. Authorities said the vehicle’s headlights were turned off as the driver continued traveling at a high rate of speed.
The fleeing vehicle subsequently ran through a stop sign and entered the intersection, where it collided with Frye’s vehicle in a T-bone crash. Frye suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Vasquez and two juvenile passengers were also injured in the collision and were transported to Sanford Medical Center in Fargo for treatment. Their injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening.
Beyond the circumstances of the crash, Frye was known in the Fargo-area music community as the owner of Heathens Music Lab, a business providing music instruction. According to the business’s website, he taught students to play several instruments, including piano, guitar and drums.
Frye’s death has left friends, students and members of the local music community mourning the loss of a musician and teacher. The North Dakota Highway Patrol continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including the actions of the fleeing driver. Authorities had not announced whether Vasquez would face criminal charges, with potential charges remaining under investigation.
