Current:Home > My'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph -Ascend Finance Compass
'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph
View
Date:2025-04-15 09:51:21
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! (54)
Related
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Scott Disick Details His Horrible Diet Before Weight Loss Journey
- McDonald's loses Big Mac trademark as EU court sides with Irish rival Supermac's
- In Hawaii, Maui council opposes US Space Force plan to build new telescopes on Haleakala volcano
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- U.S. man who killed girlfriend, stuffed body in suitcase gets 42 years for femicide in Colombia
- 17 alleged Gambino mobsters charged in $22M illegal gambling, loansharking rings
- Supreme Court sides with Native American tribes in health care funding dispute with government
- Louvre will undergo expansion and restoration project, Macron says
- Chase Budinger used to play in the NBA. Now, he's an Olympian in beach volleyball.
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- In the UK’s top baseball league, crowds are small, babysitters are key and the Mets are a dynasty
- Black Music Month has evolved since the 1970s. Here’s what you need to know
- Giraffe hoists 2-year-old into the air at drive-thru safari park: My heart stopped
- Chuck Scarborough signs off: Hoda Kotb, Al Roker tribute legendary New York anchor
- Child and 2 adults killed on railroad bridge when struck by train in Virginia
- Maura Healey, America’s first lesbian governor, oversees raising of Pride flag at Statehouse
- Brittany Mahomes Shares “Sad” Update on Her and Patrick’s Future Family Pets
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
Over 20,000 pounds of beef products recalled for not being properly inspected, USDA says
In the UK’s top baseball league, crowds are small, babysitters are key and the Mets are a dynasty
Tinashe Reveals the Surprising Inspiration Behind Her Viral Song “Nasty”
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
Suzanne Collins Volunteers As Tribute To Deliver Another Hunger Games Novel
Chiefs backup lineman taken to hospital after cardiac event during team meeting, AP source says
Women's College World Series finals: How to watch Game 2 of Oklahoma vs. Texas