The son of North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer was involved in a police chase that ended with a deputy’s death Wednesday evening.
Ian Cramer, 42, suffers from mental health issues and was being transported by his mother to the Sanford Health emergency room when he stole her vehicle and fled.
“The Bismarck Police Department received the report of a stolen vehicle from Bismarck. The stolen vehicle was a 2017 Black Chevy Tahoe and was being driven by Ian Cramer,” the North Dakota Highway Patrol said.
Mercer County Sheriff’s deputies located the Tahoe but Ian took off before they could reach him, starting a chase.
“During the pursuit, the vehicle Cramer was driving veered and crashed head-on into an unoccupied Mercer County Sheriff’s Office patrol vehicle that was parked on a roadside approach.”
“A Mercer County Deputy was standing outside and behind the patrol vehicle when it was struck. The impact of the crash pushed the patrol vehicle into the deputy, killing him.”
Sen. Cramer, whose son was taken into custody, said in a statement that he will join his family as they grieve the loss of life.
“We grieve especially for the family of the hero who tried to help Ian, and we pray for our gracious God to show up as He always does in tragedy,” he added.
