By Joanna Putman
Police1
CLAY COUNTY, Minn. — The Minnesota State Patrol has released dash camera footage showing an officer saving an 18-year-old in a runaway vehicle by coordinating a crash with a cruiser, WDAY reported.
The 18-year-old, identified as Sam Dutcher, survived a terrifying ordeal after his Honda Pilot malfunctioned and accelerated uncontrollably, reaching speeds of 113 mph, according to the report. The incident, which took place on Sept. 17, began when Dutcher noticed his vehicle began accelerating without his input near Harwood, North Dakota.
“My mind started to go, ‘I am going to die tonight,’ ” Dutcher told WDAY.
Despite attempts to brake and put it in neutral, the vehicle’s computer had taken over and it continued to speed out of control, according to the report. Dutcher called 911, and law enforcement raced to assist.
Clay County Deputy Zach Johnson and Minnesota State Trooper Zach Gruver coordinated with Dutcher by phone as the car sped past busy highways. When stop sticks proved ineffective, the officers devised a plan to use a squad car to stop the vehicle.
With only miles before the road ended, Gruver sped in front of the runaway car, allowing Dutcher to crash into the back of his vehicle, bringing the 20-minute ordeal to an end.
“I was going 130 mph,” Gruver told WDAY. “The (squad) car tops out at 140.”
Gruver also expressed gratitude for the speed and capability of his cruiser, a Dodge Charger.
“I don’t think I did anything special. I think it came down to that I had the fastest car and I was able to get in front of him,” Gruver said.
Dutcher survived the incident without injury and is now back at school, according to the report.
