Sam Dutcher had just finished an errand when his 18-year-old Honda Pilot suddenly started accelerating, even though he wasn't pressing the gas pedal.
With no brakes and no way to shift into neutral, the out-of-control SUV sped into the western Minnesota countryside with no way to stop.
“I floored the brakes,” Dutcher said Thursday, but the SUV continued to pick up speed, eventually reaching 190 mph.
On that September night, disaster was averted through desperate measures. A police officer sped in front of the Honda, and Dutcher was told to crash into the back of the police car, allowing him to safely stop just before reaching the dangerous intersection.
“It was really the only way we could stop him in time,” Minnesota State Trooper Zach Gruber said. “I just ran out of time and distance. I really didn't know any other way.”
Dutcher, who graduated from high school in May and is studying to be an auto mechanic, was driving to his parents' home near West Fargo, North Dakota, around 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 17 when he noticed something strange. I realized that.
“I tried to take my foot off the gas,” Dutcher recalled. “It's not going to slow down.'' As the SUV picked up speed, Dutcher had two options. You can either stay on the two-lane road into Minnesota or hop on the interstate. Thinking there would be less traffic, he chose the road less traveled.
Dutcher tried to call 911 using voice commands on his cell phone, but was unsuccessful. So he called his mother.
Katherine Dutcher was in the drive-thru line at Hardee's. In the 911 call, she said the Honda had just come into the store because the gas pedal appeared to be stuck.
Authorities suspect the SUV's computer may have malfunctioned.
A Honda spokesperson told The Associated Press that the family should take the car to the dealership for inspection. She said the company could not comment further until the inspection was complete.
Clay County Deputy Zach Johnson contacted Dutcher by phone as the Honda was rushed to Minnesota. Dash camera video shows Johnson talking with Dutcher about possible solutions. Nothing worked.
Meanwhile, Katherine Dutcher could only worry. She was heartbroken when she called 911 for an update.
“They said a few police officers would be going to him as well as medical,” she recalled. “At that point, I was just imagining he was either going to be seriously injured or killed, and I was kind of confused. I didn't know how to stop a car going that fast.”
Mr. Gruber asked over the radio what was going on.
His Dodge Charger eventually caught up to the Honda, which approached the town of Hitterdal, Minnesota, about 30 miles from where the problem occurred.
Hitterdal has a population of only about 200 people, but the highway passes through an area with several stop signs, railroad crossings, and intersections with other highways.
Gruber hurried ahead to avoid traffic jams. Video from his dashcam showed the Honda speeding through town. Dutcher said the SUV was traveling about 190 mph.
Soon, another worry arises. Johnson warned Gruber that the highway ended at a T-junction about four miles away. If you run at race speed, it will take 2 minutes.
Law enforcement devised a plan on the spot. Dutcher entered the back of Gruber's patrol car while both vehicles were moving.
In the conversation, which was captured on dashcam video, Johnson urged Dutcher, “Yeah, get to the back of the car.”
Gruber said the 2022 Honda's collision mitigation system activated at the time of the crash and helped mitigate the crash. The Honda was traveling about 80 mph when it struck the officer's car. From there, Gruber was able to gradually slow down and come to a stop.
Gruber, a 30-year-old married man who is about to give birth to his first child, was impressed by the young driver, who was able to maneuver the out-of-control vehicle at unimaginable speeds.
“Sam did a great job,” said Gruber, who has been a police officer for more than three years. “I don't think many people can withstand that pressure.”
