Ian Cramer, the son of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., will serve 28 years in prison for killing Mercer County Sheriff's Deputy Paul Martin during a crash in while fleeing law enforcement in December 2023. (AP Photo/Jack Dura)
Mercer County State's Attorney Todd Schwarz said Cramer admitted to using methamphetamine and bath salts the day of the incident, and was experiencing long-term effects of "taking drugs to put himself into a mentally ill state."
The day of the crash, Cramer's mother was taking him to a hospital in Bismarck, North Dakota, because of mental health concerns. When she got out of the car, he slid over into the driver's seat and drove off, smashing through a closed door in the hospital's ambulance bay.
Deputies confronted him in Hazen, about 70 miles away from Bismarck, but Cramer continued to drive, reaching speeds of more than 100 mph. Law enforcement deployed spiked devices, which flattened two tires, but did not stop him.
The crash took place when Cramer swerved to avoid more spikes and hit Martin's patrol vehicle head on. The deputy was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., has previously said his son struggles with serious mental health issues. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
The senator, who was re-elected to a second term in November, said everyone, including his son, is aware that "they were his choices that led to this, whatever they may be, under whatever condition, choices that go back many years."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/north-dakota-senators-son-sentenced-28-years-prison-crash-killed-deputy