Current:Home > Markets'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph -FundWay
'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph
View
Date:2025-04-27 16:44:41
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! (74953)
Related
- Have Dry, Sensitive Skin? You Need To Add These Gentle Skincare Products to Your Routine
- Who will win at the Oscars? See full predictions from AP’s film writers
- Prosecutors in Trump classified documents case draw sharp distinctions with Biden investigation
- Find Out Who Won The Traitors Season 2
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied Privately Divorce After 11 Years of Marriage
- Donald Trump will get juror names at New York criminal trial but they’ll be anonymous to the public
- Democrat Min to face Republican Baugh in California’s competitive 47th Congressional District
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Maple syrup season came weeks early in the Midwest. Producers are doing their best to adapt
Ranking
- Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
- Endangered red panda among 87 live animals seized from smugglers at Thailand airport
- Bribery, fraud charges reinstated against former New York Lt. Governor
- Maine mass shooter had a brain injury. Experts say that doesn’t explain his violence.
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Special counsel urges judge to reject Trump's efforts to dismiss documents case
- Who is attending the State of the Union? Here are notable guests for Biden's 2024 address
- Shawn Mendes Announces Return to Stage After Canceling Tour to Prioritize Mental Health
Recommendation
NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
Floridians can ‘stand their ground’ and kill threatening bears under bill going to DeSantis
AP Decision Notes: What to expect in the March 12 presidential contests
Memphis judge postpones state trial in Tyre Nichols death until end of federal trial
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
They had a loving marriage and their sex life was great. Here's why they started swinging.
Trading national defense info for cash? US Army Sgt. accused of selling secrets to China
New Jersey high school goes on legal offensive to overturn game it lost on blown call