Son of U.S. senator kills N.D. deputy in crash involving stolen vehicle, authorities say

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MERCER COUNTY, North Dakota ― The son of a U.S. senator is in custody after authorities say he crashed a stolen vehicle into a North Dakota sheriff’s department’s patrol car during a pursuit, killing a deputy.

A news release from the North Dakota Highway Patrol says the deputy was standing behind the parked patrol car preparing to deploy tire deflation device when a stolen 2017 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Ian Cramer, 42, of Bismarck, N.D., smashed into the vehicle. The impact of the collision pushed the patrol car into the deputy, killing him.

The identity of the deputy has not been released. The news release says the emergency lights were on when the patrol car was hit.

Cramer is the son of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, Valley News Live reports. The senator released a statement Wednesday night acknowledging his son was involved in the incident and saying his son suffers from “serious mental disorders,” including severe paranoia and hallucinations.

The statement says the senator’s wife, Kris, was with the couple’s son on Wednesday when he insisted on seeing his brother Isaac, who died in 2018. She took him to an ER, but Cramer managed to drive off in the vehicle after they arrived at the hospital, the statement says.

The statement says the senator’s daughter was able to track the vehicle Kris Cramer’s cellphone and notified law enforcement in Mercer County.

“I will take the first flight I can to be with our family as we grieve what has happened,” Sen. Cramer says in the statement. “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. We ask the public for prayers for the lost officer’s family and colleagues who serve us every day and are grateful for all they do for us.

“We also ask God for healing for Ian. We love him and hurt deeply.”

Ian Cramer was taken into custody after the crash. No information was released on his condition, but the sheriff’s office says charges are pending.

Kevin Cramer is a Republican and was elected to the Senate in 2018. He also served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.

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