North Dakota senator’s son charged with manslaughter in crash that killed deputy

Ian Cramer, the 42-year-old son of Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), was charged with felony manslaughter Thursday after he was allegedly involved in a crash after a police pursuit that resulted in the death of a North Dakota sheriff’s deputy on Wednesday.

The younger Cramer, who suffers from severe mental disorders, was charged with felony counts of manslaughter, fleeing a police officer, and reckless endangerment. He has also been charged with one misdemeanor count of driving with a suspended license, according to the Associated Press. He is expected to appear in court on Friday.

HOUSE VOTES TO REPEAL BIDEN’S INCOME-DRIVEN REPAYMENT REGULATION

Kevin Cramer confirmed his son’s involvement in the accident in Bismarck in a statement on Wednesday, and he is expected to fly out to North Dakota to be with his family. The senator said his son’s mental disorders manifest in “severe paranoia and hallucinations.”

AP

“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,” the senator said. “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.”

The incident occurred after Ian Cramer was driven to a hospital by his mother over concerns about his mental health. According to the senator, Ian Cramer claimed he wanted to see his brother Ike, who died in 2018. When the senator’s wife, Kris, got out of her vehicle at the hospital, Ian Cramer allegedly got into the driver’s seat and drove through a door to get out of the enclosed ambulance bay at the hospital’s emergency department, according to Bismarck police.

Ian Cramer was later spotted more than an hour away by a deputy in Mercer County, North Dakota, and a chase reportedly ensued. The chase ended when the SUV crashed into a Mercer County sheriff’s vehicle parked along a state highway.

AP

A deputy, later identified as 53-year-old Paul Martin, had been preparing to end the chase via a tire deflation device and was standing behind the sheriff’s vehicle at the time of the crash. The impact of the crash allegedly caused the sheriff’s vehicle to hit Martin, killing him.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND) has ordered all state agencies to fly flags at half-staff in honor of Martin, who served the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office for 18 years, until sunset of the day the deputy is interred.

Martin is survived by his wife and three children, according to the sheriff’s office.