While fleeing law enforcement, Ian Cramer, 42, crashed into a parked patrol vehicle on Wednesday, killing Mercer County Deputy Paul Martin, 53, who had been outside of the vehicle, according to a North Dakota Highway Patrol press release. Cramer, who is one of Sen. Kevin Cramer’s (R-N.D.) children, faces various charges of manslaughter and more, according to court records.
The lawmaker said in a statement that “Ian suffers from serious mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations” and that he had “insisted on going to his brother Ike,” who actually passed away in 2018.
The senator’s wife, Kris, “took Ian to the Sanford Health emergency room in Bismarck. When she got out of our vehicle, Ian jumped into the driver’s seat and fled. Our daughter was able to track the car through Kris’ cell phone and lead officers to him,” his statement notes.
The NDHP press release says that Ian Cramer fled from law enforcement, resulting in a chase.
“When law enforcement approached Cramer, he fled in the vehicle and a pursuit ensued. 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. The Sheriff’s Office vehicle was displaying its emergency lights at the time,” the press release states. “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.”
The Associated Press reported that Ian Cramer had been going more than 100 mph with two flat tires when he hit the vehicle, shoving it “directly into Martin’s person and launching him for about 100 feet,” according to charging documents.
Martin “is survived by his wife and three children,” according to the NDHP press release. The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office also described Martin as a “grandpa.”
“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,” Sen. Cramer said in his statement. “We also ask God for healing for Ian. We love him and hurt deeply.”
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