Current:Home > Markets'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph -Dynamic Money Growth
'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph
View
Date:2025-04-14 16:16:46
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! (1477)
Related
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- Meet Sankofa Video, Books & Café, a cultural hub in Washington, D.C.
- Trump gunman researched Crumbley family of Michigan shooting. Victim's dad 'not surprised'
- California officials say largest trial court in US victim of ransomware attack
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- How the Olympic Village Became Known For Its Sexy Escapades
- New Hampshire governor signs bill banning transgender girls from girls' sports
- Horoscopes Today, July 20, 2024
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- We’re Still Talking About These Viral Olympic Moments
Ranking
- NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
- Behind Biden’s asylum halt: Migrants must say if they fear deportation, not wait to be asked
- 4 Dallas firefighters injured as engine crashes off bridge, lands on railway below
- In Idaho, Water Shortages Pit Farmers Against One Another
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Delta Air Lines says cancellations continue as it tries to restore operations after tech outage
- Man sentenced in prison break and fatal brawl among soccer fans outside cheesesteak shop
- Trump gunman researched Crumbley family of Michigan shooting. Victim's dad 'not surprised'
Recommendation
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
Ten Commandments posters won't go in Louisiana classrooms until November
Biden's COVID symptoms have improved meaningfully, White House doctor says
Journalist ordered to pay over $5,000 to Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni for making fun of her height
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
What is Microsoft's blue screen of death? Here's what it means and how to fix it.
President Joe Biden's Family: A Guide to His Kids, Grandchildren and More
Arike Ogunbowale and Caitlin Clark lead WNBA All-Stars to 117-109 win over U.S. Olympic team