Imagine driving and suddenly losing control of your vehicle—it sounds like something straight out of a movie, but that was the reality for 18-year-old Sam Dutcher in Minnesota last month.
On September 17, while navigating the streets of West Fargo, his Honda Pilot SUV took over, accelerating uncontrollably up to 113 mph.
This near-miss left Honda puzzled and raised serious safety concerns.
A Terrifying Ride
Dutcher described the harrowing experience as one where he genuinely thought he might die.
He was driving when he suddenly realized that his foot wasn’t on the gas pedal, yet the car was speeding through intersections.
In sheer panic, he dialed 911, fearing for his life.
As he raced through traffic, police were dispatched to assist him, leading to a dramatic chase that lasted around 30 miles.
Honda’s Response
In a statement to DailyMail.com, Honda expressed its confusion over the incident and urged Dutcher to have his vehicle thoroughly inspected by a dealer.
They emphasized that only a detailed inspection could uncover what went wrong.
The company expressed gratitude for the law enforcement’s role in stopping the vehicle and ensuring Dutcher’s safety.
A High-Speed Chase
The pursuit intensified as deputies scrambled to keep up with Dutcher’s runaway vehicle.
Clay County Deputy Zach Johnson was among the officers trying to communicate with him during the chase.
As they questioned him, it became apparent that nothing was working to stop the vehicle; neither the brakes nor attempts to shift gears seemed effective.
Johnson, realizing the gravity of the situation, suggested using spike strips but ultimately decided against it due to the high speed at which Dutcher was traveling.
Life-or-Death Moments
As Dutcher’s car barreled toward the town of Hitterdal, Minnesota State Trooper Zach Gruver took urgent measures to prevent any potential collisions.
He raced ahead, determined to block traffic at an uncontrolled intersection that would only worsen the danger.
Gruver recounted, “My plan was to get up there and get the intersection blocked so we didn’t have cars coming through when Sam was coming through at 113 mph.”
A Mother’s Fear
During the chase, Dutcher’s mom, Catherine, was on the line with him, listening in and trying to calm his nerves while simultaneously communicating with 911.
She was terrified, battling her own thoughts, wondering if her son would survive the night.
“I was like, ‘God, please don’t kill my kid, please don’t,'” she recalled.
Drastic Measures
As the chase reached a critical point, Gruver and Johnson knew they had to act quickly.
With a dead-end approaching, Gruver accelerated to get ahead of Dutcher, pushing his patrol car to speeds of 130 mph.
He instructed Dutcher to crash into his vehicle—an unconventional but necessary tactic.
Dutcher, initially stunned by the suggestion, followed through, bringing the harrowing chase to a dramatic halt.
The Aftermath
After the incident, Dutcher and his mom personally visited Gruver to express their gratitude.
The trooper, however, humbly attributed his success to being in the right place at the right time.
“I don’t think I did anything special,” he said.
“It came down to that I had the fastest car and I was able to get in front of him.”
Despite the chaos, everyone involved recognized how close they came to a far worse outcome, emphasizing the importance of quick thinking and teamwork in moments of crisis.
Meanwhile, the cause of the Honda’s sudden malfunction remains a mystery, with the automaker investigating the incident to ensure the safety of its vehicles in the future.