Current:Home > Scams'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph -ApexWealth
'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph
View
Date:2025-04-13 21:35:50
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! (4)
Related
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Chief Environmental Justice Official at EPA Resigns, With Plea to Pruitt to Protect Vulnerable Communities
- Woman hit and killed by stolen forklift
- Shop the Best 2023 Father's Day Sales: Get the Best Deals on Gifts From Wayfair, Omaha Steaks & More
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- At least 2 dead, 28 wounded in mass shooting at Baltimore block party, police say
- 9 shot, 2 suffer traumatic injuries at Wichita nightclub
- Massachusetts Raises the Bar (Just a Bit) on Climate Ambition
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Nine Ways Biden’s $2 Trillion Plan Will Tackle Climate Change
Ranking
- Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
- Mark Consuelos Reveals Warning Text He Received From Daughter Lola During Live With Kelly & Mark
- Jessica Alba Praises Her and Cash Warren’s “Angel” Daughter Honor in 15th Birthday Tribute
- At least 2 dead, 28 wounded in mass shooting at Baltimore block party, police say
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- July Fourth hot dog eating contest men's competition won by Joey Chestnut with 62 hot dogs and buns
- U.S. Suspends More Oil and Gas Leases Over What Could Be a Widespread Problem
- The story behind the flag that inspired The Star-Spangled Banner
Recommendation
At site of suspected mass killings, Syrians recall horrors, hope for answers
If Aridification Choked the Southwest for Thousands of Years, What Does The Future Hold?
Biden’s Paris Goal: Pressure Builds for a 50 Percent Greenhouse Gas Cut by 2030
Election 2018: Clean Energy’s Future Could Rise or Fall with These Governor’s Races
What to watch: O Jolie night
Migrant workers said to be leaving Florida over new immigration law
Selma Blair, Sarah Michelle Gellar and More React to Shannen Doherty's Cancer Update
9 shot, 2 suffer traumatic injuries at Wichita nightclub