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Crash saves teenager whose car suddenly jumped to 120 mph

WEST FARGO, North Dakota: An 18-year-old driver who was in an SUV saved himself by guiding the car into a police vehicle after his car suddenly increased speed even though his foot wasn’t on the gas pedal.

Sam Dutcher was driving to the family home near West Fargo, North Dakota, around 7:30 p.m. when the 18-year-old’s Honda Pilot suddenly began to accelerate, even though his foot wasn’t on the accelerator. The brake stopped working, and he couldn’t shift into neutral. Before long, the runaway SUV was speeding into the western Minnesota countryside with no way to stop.

A last-ditch plan averted disaster as Minnesota Trooper Zach Gruver sped in front of the Honda. Dutcher was told to crash into the rear of his squad car, allowing it to ease safely to a stop moments before reaching a dangerous intersection.

As the SUV gained speed, Dutcher had two options: Stay on a two-lane road and drive into Minnesota, or hop onto the interstate. Figuring traffic would be lighter, he chose the road less traveled.

Dutcher tried using voice command on his phone to call 911, but it didn’t work. So, he called his mom.

In her 911 call, Catherine Dutcher mentioned that the Honda had just been in the shop because the accelerator was apparently getting stuck. Authorities suspect that the SUV’s computer malfunctioned.

The family should take the vehicle to a dealership for an inspection, a Honda spokeswoman told The Associated Press. The company could not comment further until an inspection was done, she said.

As the Honda sped into Minnesota, Clay County Deputy Zach Johnson reached Dutcher by phone. Dash camera video shows Johnson talking Dutcher through possible solutions.

Gruver heard what was going on through his radio. His Dodge Charger eventually caught up with the Honda as it was approaching the town of Hitterdal, Minnesota, about 30 miles from where the problem began.

Only about 200 people live in Hitterdal, but the highway runs through an area with a couple of stop signs, a railroad crossing, and an intersection with another highway.

Gruver raced ahead to keep traffic at bay. His dashcam video showed the Honda zipping quickly past him through town. Dutcher said the SUV was going about 120 mph.

Johnson warned Gruver he was about to reach a T-intersection about four miles away – a two-minute drive at racing speed.

Law enforcement then told Dutcher to drive into the back of Gruver’s squad car as both vehicles were moving.

The 2022 Honda’s crash mitigation system kicked in at the point of impact, helping ease the collision, Gruver said. The Honda was going about 50 mph when it struck the trooper’s vehicle. From there, Gruver was able to gradually slow to a stop.

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