Current:Home > Contact'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph -ValueCore
'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph
View
Date:2025-04-14 18:35:00
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! (184)
Related
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Part Ways With Spotify
- Be on the lookout for earthworms on steroids that jump a foot in the air and shed their tails
- ‘At the Forefront of Climate Change,’ Hoboken, New Jersey, Seeks Damages From ExxonMobil
- Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power
- Headphone Flair Is the Fashion Tech Trend That Will Make Your Outfit
- Warming Trends: Chief Heat Officers, Disappearing Cave Art and a Game of Climate Survival
- Crack in North Carolina roller coaster was seen about six to 10 days before the ride was shut down
- Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
- A golden age for nonalcoholic beers, wines and spirits
Ranking
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- This Frizz-Reducing, Humidity-Proofing Spray Is a Game-Changer for Hair and It Has 39,600+ 5-Star Reviews
- Judge rejects Justice Department's request to pause order limiting Biden administration's contact with social media companies
- Michael Cera Recalls How He Almost Married Aubrey Plaza
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- 'Medical cost-sharing' plan left this pastor on the hook for much of a $160,000 bill
- Read Ryan Reynolds' Subtle Shout-Out to His and Blake Lively's 4th Baby
- 3 reasons why Seattle schools are suing Big Tech over a youth mental health crisis
Recommendation
Grammy nominee Teddy Swims on love, growth and embracing change
Tesla's stock lost over $700 billion in value. Elon Musk's Twitter deal didn't help
New York opens its first legal recreational marijuana dispensary
The RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Cast Reveals Makeup Hacks Worthy of a Crown
From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
The attack on Brazil's Congress was stoked by social media — and by Trump allies
Sony says its PlayStation 5 shortage is finally over, but it's still hard to buy
'Medical cost-sharing' plan left this pastor on the hook for much of a $160,000 bill