A Minnesota teenager, Sam Dutcher, was saved by a quick-thinking state trooper after his car malfunctioned, accelerating uncontrollably to over 100 mph. The 18-year-old was driving his Honda Pilot when it suddenly began to speed up on its own, with the brakes and gears failing to respond. Dutcher, who had just finished running errands, found himself in a dangerous situation as the vehicle sped down a two-lane road in rural Minnesota, reaching speeds of 120 mph.
Dutcher, a recent high school graduate studying auto mechanics, initially tried using voice commands on his phone to call 911, but when that failed, he turned to his backup plan—calling his mother. Catherine Dutcher was at a Hardee’s drive-through when she called 911 for help, explaining that the Honda had recently been in the shop for issues with the accelerator sticking. Authorities now believe a computer malfunction in the SUV was to blame.
As the SUV barreled through the countryside, Minnesota State Trooper Zach Gruver, who had been listening to the situation unfold over his radio, realized the urgency. Gruver quickly devised a plan with Clay County Deputy Zach Johnson. With the highway set to end at a dangerous T-intersection just four miles ahead, they knew there was no time to lose. Gruver sped ahead of the runaway Honda and told Dutcher to deliberately collide with the back of his squad car, hoping that the impact would bring the vehicle to a stop.
As Dutcher’s SUV struck the trooper’s vehicle at around 50 mph, the car’s crash mitigation system activated, helping reduce the force of the collision. Gruver was then able to bring both vehicles to a gradual halt, preventing what could have been a catastrophic accident.
Watch the horrifying ordeal here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI6No5gP9AM
Gruver later praised Dutcher for remaining calm and composed during the terrifying ordeal, saying, “Sam did great. I don’t think there’s a whole lot of people that could deal with that pressure.”
The harrowing event, which took place near the small town of Hitterdal, roughly 30 miles from where the malfunction began, highlights the critical role quick decision-making plays in life-threatening situations. The authorities’ swift action and Dutcher’s ability to follow directions likely saved him from a devastating accident.
While no one was hurt in the incident, it has raised concerns about vehicle malfunctions and the importance of regular inspections, particularly for older models. A spokesperson for Honda has encouraged the family to bring the vehicle to a dealership for a thorough inspection to determine the exact cause of the malfunction.
This close call serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of mechanical failures and the importance of staying calm in the face of danger.
