Sen. Kevin Cramer says son was involved in fatal North Dakota police chase

Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota told news outlets Wednesday that his son was involved in a fatal police chase that resulted in the accidental death of a police officer.

The senator’s son, Ian, who he says “suffers from severe mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations” was reportedly taken into custody by local police officials.

Cramer said his son was with his mother at a Bismarck, North Dakota hospital emergency room when he suddenly felt the urge to visit the gravesite of his fallen brother Ike, who died in 2018.

“Ian jumped into the driver’s seat and fled,” Cramer said in the statement. “Our daughter was able to track the car through Kris’ cell phone and lead officers to him in Mercer County, ND. We don’t have more details right now but will work with authorities to properly inform the public.

Bismarck police found Ian Cramer 75 miles from the North Dakota state capital in a 2017 Black Chevrolet Tahoe sports utility vehicle.

When the officers arrived, he fled from law enforcement again, taking police from the local sheriff’s office in hot pursuit, according to news reports.

Cramer said in his statement he was hurrying home on the first flight to see his family “as we grieve what has happened.”

There is no additional information about what specific charges may be filed against Ian Cramer. Flight from law enforcement can be charged as a misdemeanor, but if often charged in most jurisdictions as a felony when officers deem the flight endangered the public.