1 Year Later, Police Are 'Vigilant' In Preventing Another Fatal Wildwood Car Rally

WILDWOOD, NJ — It was one year ago that an unsanctioned car rally took to the streets of Wildwood. The event ended with two dead and more injured. And as the anniversary draws nearer, residents worry that it may happen again.

Thousands came to the 2022 rally after it had been kicked out of its previous location in Ocean City, Maryland. Cars drove recklessly through the streets of Wildwood, striking pedestrians, a golf cart and other cars.

Wildwood police issued a release saying that they had received numerous inquiries regarding last year's H2Oi "pop-up rally," asking if it would be an issue again this year.

The rally last year took place the same weekend as the Annual Irish Festival and Fall Classic Car Show - and those are being held this weekend for 2023.

Since the beginning of the year, police and the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office have been monitoring the event and have identified "several small groups" on social media, police said.

"The Wildwood Police Department with the assistance of the City of Wildwood Solicitor were able to quickly identify the promoters of these groups and legally advise them to cease and desist their promotion of these unsanctioned events," police said. "All of these have been removed from the social media platforms as of this press release."

However, there is no credible information of the event happening again on a large scale.

Police said they will keep monitoring social media.

"While we continue to be vigilant in our approach to attempting to identify any possible threats to our hometown, we also have planned for the possibility of this unsanctioned event occurring," police said.

Read More

Fatal Wildwood Car Rally Driver Faces Upgraded Charges

Outrage After 2 Killed In Unsanctioned Jersey Shore Car Rally

'Lawless' Wildwood Car Rally Can't Be Repeated, Communities Say