Bismarck, N.D. — New Charges Filed in Crash that Killed North Dakota Sheriff's Deputy
On Thursday, new charges were approved against a 42-year-old man involved in a crash that resulted in the death of Mercer County Sheriff's Deputy Paul Martin. Ian Cramer, the son of U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, initially faced a manslaughter charge for the incident that occurred on December 6 near Hazen. However, the charges have now been upgraded to homicide while fleeing a peace officer, and drug charges have also been added.
The homicide charge alleges that the death was caused negligently rather than recklessly, carrying higher maximum penalties than manslaughter. If convicted, Cramer could face up to 20 years in prison and a possible $20,000 fine.
In addition to the homicide charge, Cramer is still facing counts of fleeing a police officer, preventing arrest, and reckless endangerment. The drug charges against him include possession of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana, and drug paraphernalia. In total, Cramer is charged with nine offenses, four of which are felonies.
Cramer, who is currently in jail, is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. No immediate comment was received from his attorney.
Authorities Find Drugs and Paraphernalia in Vehicle Involved in Crash
During a search of the vehicle that was impounded since the crash, authorities discovered several grams of meth, cocaine, and marijuana in a backpack. They also found baggies, rolled up dollar bills, smoking devices, lighters, and Arizona jail booking paperwork for an individual named Ian Cramer.
Court documents revealed that Cramer's mother was driving him around on the day of the crash and had stopped at his home, where he retrieved the backpack and other items. Mercer County State's Attorney Todd Schwarz announced in court on Friday his intention to add drug charges. However, he did not immediately respond to a message left at his office.
During the court appearance, District Judge Bobbi Weiler set a $500,000 cash bond as requested by the prosecutors and ordered a mental health evaluation. The senator, who is the father of Ian Cramer, stated that his son was experiencing a mental health issue when he fled from a Bismarck hospital in the family's vehicle. The mother had taken him to the hospital due to concerns about his mental health. Cramer took control of the SUV and crashed through a door to escape from an enclosed ambulance bay.
Deputies in Mercer County later located Cramer in Hazen, approximately 70 miles northwest of Bismarck, according to the North Dakota Highway Patrol.
Man Leads High-Speed Chase and Crashes into Police Car
A man led authorities on a high-speed chase, reaching speeds of 100 mph, before crashing into a police car in Hazen, according to charging documents. The incident resulted in the death of Officer Martin, an 18-year veteran of the sheriff's office. Martin leaves behind a wife, three children, and four grandchildren.
The suspect, identified as Ian Cramer, is the son of Kevin Cramer, a senator who served three terms in the House. In a statement, Kevin Cramer mentioned that his son suffers from serious mental disorders, which lead to severe paranoia and hallucinations.
This is not the first time Ian Cramer has been involved in criminal activities. He has previously been charged with misdemeanor simple assault for injuring his brother, as well as other offenses such as driving under the influence and multiple traffic citations. He is also a suspect in an assault case in Houston.
