Republican North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer’s adult son has been charged with homicide for his alleged involvement in a high-speed chase that killed a sheriff’s deputy earlier this month.
Ian Matthew Cramer, 42, was initially facing a manslaughter charge over the Dec. 6 head-on crash that resulted in the death of Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin, but a judge on Thursday approved upping the charge to homicide, which comes with a maximum 20 year prison sentence if Cramer is convicted.
He had been facing 10 years on the manslaughter charge.
Cramer was also hit with new drug charges after authorities said a backpack containing methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and drug paraphernalia was found in the 2017 Chevy Tahoe he allegedly stole from his mother before fleeing from police.
Cramer reached speeds in excess of 100 mph during the chase and managed to keep going even after police flattened two of his tires with a spike strip, according to authorities.
When Cramer swerved to avoid another set of spikes he slammed into Martin’s patrol vehicle, killing the 53-year-old sheriff’s deputy who was standing outside his car, according to officials.
Martin was an 18-year veteran of the Mercer County Sheriff’s office and married with three children, per authorities.
Kevin Cramer (R-ND) has said that his son “suffers from serious mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations.”
“We grieve especially for the family of the hero who tried to help Ian, and we pray for our gracious God to show up as He always does in tragedy,” the senator wrote in a statement released the night of his son’s arrest.
“We ask the public for prayers for the lost officer’s family and colleagues who serve us every day and are grateful for all they do for us,” he added. “We also ask God for healing for Ian. We love him and hurt deeply.”
His son has also been charged with fleeing a peace officer, reckless endangerment, preventing arrest and driving with a suspended license in the case.
In 2013, the younger Cramer was hit with a misdemeanor simple assault charge after allegedly knocking his brother over the head.
He pleaded guilty and was given a 10-day suspended prison sentence, a year’s probation, and ordered to pay a $150 fine.
Earlier that same year, Cramer pleaded guilty to making a false report to law enforcement and possession of a controlled substance.
He was given credit for time served and told to pay a $300 fine.
