On Thursday, manslaughter and fleeing charges were filed against Ian Cramer, the 42-year-old son of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, following a tragic incident that unfolded during a police pursuit resulting in the death of a North Dakota sheriff’s deputy. The officer was fatally injured while deploying a tire deflation device, as per online court records.
Ian Cramer is set to make his initial court appearance on Friday, facing multiple charges including felony counts of manslaughter, fleeing a police officer, and reckless endangerment. Additionally, he has been charged with a misdemeanor count of driving with a suspended license. Notably, there is no listed attorney for him in the court docket.
The events leading up to the tragedy began when Ian Cramer, residing in Bismarck, was taken to a hospital by his mother around 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday due to concerns about his mental health. In an unexpected turn, Cramer assumed control of the vehicle when his mother exited the SUV, driving through a door to exit the enclosed ambulance bay at the hospital’s emergency department.
Approximately an hour later, a deputy from Mercer County spotted Cramer driving a Chevrolet Tahoe in Hazen, a community located about 70 miles northwest of Bismarck. The North Dakota Highway Patrol reported that a pursuit ensued, culminating in the SUV colliding with a parked Mercer County sheriff’s vehicle along a state highway.
The crash resulted in the death of a deputy who was positioned behind the parked vehicle, preparing to deploy a tire deflation device to halt the chase. The deputy was identified as 53-year-old Paul Martin. Ian Cramer was subsequently evaluated at a hospital and then taken into custody.
