Current:Home > Contact'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph -WealthDrive Solutions
'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph
TradeEdge Exchange View
Date:2025-04-09 14:52:30
When a North Dakota teen lost control of his accelerating vehicle, police ordered him to crash on purpose to save his life.
Samuel Dutcher, 18, was driving into Minnesota from North Dakota on the night of Sept. 17 when his vehicle would not stop accelerating, the Minnesota State Patrol confirmed to USA TODAY Wednesday. He called 911 and officials worked to find a way to stop the car without the West Fargo resident or anyone else getting hurt.
As his vehicle reached a speed of 113 mph, Minnesota State Trooper Zach Gruver managed to get in front of Dutcher's vehicle by moving at 130 mph and parked his squad car in its path. Clay County Deputy Zach Johnson then made the call for the teen to intentionally crash in a last stitch effort to save his life.
Watch teen saved by vehicle speeding 113 mph.
Deputy ordered teen to crash on purpose
"Yes, run into the back of his car," Johnson told Dutcher that night.
The spontaneous plan unraveled flawlessly with Dutcher saved without a single injury, according to Minnesota State Patrol.
"It’s not very often a sheriff’s deputy orders you to hit a State Patrol vehicle, but hitting Trooper Zach Gruver’s squad helped save 18-year-old Sam Dutcher’s life," state patrol wrote on Facebook.
Driver convinced he was about to die
When the vehicle's computer took over, Dutcher tried everything to stop, including the emergency brake to switching to neutral, according to local station WDAY-TV. Johnson initially told the driver that police were going to put stop sticks in his path but that plan was scrapped as time was running out, WDAY-TV reported.
"It hit me then that this really just happened," Dutcher told the station. "My mind started to go, 'I am going to die tonight.'"
He called his mother Catherine Dutcher, who immediately feared the worst.
"Early, honestly, I was like, 'My kid is probably dead.' I was like, 'God, please don't kill my kid, please don't,'" Catherine said.
Saved from this harrowing experience, Dutcher got to return to his life as an auto mechanics student at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Moorhead, Minnesota.
Multiple media outlets were reporting the car was a 2022 Honda Pilot but police did not immediately confirm the make and model.
veryGood! (75721)
Related
- Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
- Syria shells northern rebel-held region of Idlib, killing 7 people
- Coco Gauff's 16-match winning streak stopped by Iga Swiatek in China Open semifinal
- A Baltic Sea gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia is shut down over a suspected leak
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- ACLU sues a Tennessee city over an anti-drag ordinance
- Q&A: A Reporter Joins Scientists as They Work to Stop the Killing of Cougars
- Liberal Wisconsin Supreme Court justice rejects GOP call to recuse on redistricting cases
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- 'We have no explanation': See list of US states with the most reported UFO sightings
Ranking
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- For these Peruvian kids, surfing isn't just water play
- Chicago Bears trade disgruntled wide receiver Chase Claypool to Miami Dolphins
- Individual actions you can take to address climate change
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Rocket perfume, anyone? A Gaza vendor sells scents in bottles shaped like rockets fired at Israel
- From runways to rockets: Prada will help design NASA's spacesuits for mission to the moon
- Virginia family sues school system for $30 million over student’s sexual assault in bathroom
Recommendation
Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
Chicago Bears trade disgruntled wide receiver Chase Claypool to Miami Dolphins
‘We are at war': 5 things to know about the Hamas militant group’s unprecedented attack on Israel
Man who attacked Capitol with tomahawk and now promotes Jan. 6 merchandise gets 7 years in prison
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Lionel Messi may play Saturday, Inter Miami hints in social media post
Auto workers stop expanding strikes against Detroit Three after GM makes battery plant concession
Officers shoot and kill armed man in pickup truck outside Los Angeles shopping center, police say