Current:Home > StocksIndexbit-'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph -Elevate Capital Network
Indexbit-'I am going to die': Video shows North Dakota teen crashing runaway car at 113 mph
Fastexy Exchange View
Date:2025-04-11 08:55:24
When a North Dakota teen lost control of his accelerating vehicle,Indexbit 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! (42557)
Related
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- These 22 UGG Styles Are on Sale for Less Than $100 and They Make Great Holiday Gifts
- Dinosaur head found in U.K., and experts say it's one of the most complete pliosaur skulls ever unearthed
- Police and customs seize live animals, horns and ivory in global wildlife trafficking operation
- NCAA hands former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh a 4-year show cause order for recruiting violations
- What does it mean to be Black enough? Cord Jefferson explores this 'American Fiction'
- China’s homegrown C919 aircraft arrives in Hong Kong in maiden flight outside the mainland
- How 'Bout a Round of Applause for Rihanna’s Pearl-Embellished Look
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Arctic report card points to rapid and dramatic impacts of climate change
Ranking
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Triathlon
- In Florida farmland, Guadalupe feast celebrates, sustains 60-year-old mission to migrant workers
- UN warns nearly 50 million people could face hunger next year in West and Central Africa
- 'The Voice' contestants join forces for Taylor Swift tributes: 'Supergroup vibes'
- Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
- Australians prepare for their first cyclone of the season
- UAW accuses Honda, Hyundai and VW of union-busting
- Prosecutors want a former Albanian prime minister under house arrest on corruption charges
Recommendation
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
Thousands rally in Slovakia to condemn the new government’s plan to close top prosecutors’ office
Online sports betting to start in Vermont in January
US agency takes first step toward requiring new vehicles to prevent drunk or impaired driving
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Special counsel asks Supreme Court to decide whether Trump is immune from federal prosecution
3 Florida middle school students hospitalized after showing signs of possible overdose
What does it mean to be Black enough? Cord Jefferson explores this 'American Fiction'