The son of a Republican senator received a nearly 30-year prison sentence on Monday for his involvement in the tragic death of a sheriff’s deputy during a high-speed chase last December. Ian Cramer, aged 43 and the son of North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer, was driving his parents’ SUV when he collided with the deputy’s patrol vehicle on December 6, 2023. The incident occurred as Mercer County Deputy Paul Martin, who was 53 years old, attempted to deploy stop sticks to halt Cramer’s flight. Unfortunately, Martin was struck by the patrol vehicle and succumbed to his injuries.
Republican senator’s son sentenced over killing deputy in 100mph car chase
North Dakota Senator Kevin Cramer's 43-year-old son, Ian Cramer, was sentenced to 28 years in prison for killing Mercer County Sheriff’s Deputy Paul Martin during a drug-fueled 100mph car chase…
1/3— ˶˃ NewsCat 📰🗞️NO DMs˂˶ (@typocatCAv2) December 31, 2024
Ian Cramer had initially fled from an ambulance bay at a hospital after his mother brought him there due to hallucinations. As reported by the New York Post, he took control of his parents’ vehicle after his mother exited it and reversed through the closed garage door of the hospital’s ambulance bay. This reckless escape led to a high-speed pursuit where speeds exceeded 100 mph. Despite law enforcement efforts that flattened two tires with devices designed to stop him, Cramer continued his dangerous drive until crashing into Deputy Martin’s vehicle.
Senator Kevin Cramer and his wife have spoken about their son’s mental health struggles, which were worsened by substance abuse. On the day of this fatal incident, Ian admitted to using methamphetamines and bath salts. In September, he pleaded guilty to nine charges including homicide while fleeing a peace officer, reckless endangerment, and drug possession.
North Dakota Senator's Son, Ian Cramer, 43, was found guilty and sentenced to 28 years in prison for killing Mercer County Sheriff's Deputy Paul Martin during a crash while fleeing law enforcement pic.twitter.com/zGqEzNlBlZ
— Trenches and City Updates (@TrenchesAndCity) December 31, 2024
During Monday’s sentencing hearing reported by NBC News, Ian expressed remorse towards Deputy Martin’s family saying he never intended for any harm and hoped they might forgive him one day. He also mentioned needing further help from medical professionals.
Judge Bobbi Weiler handed down a 28-year prison sentence but noted that Ian might not serve all those years behind bars due to policies within the state Department of Corrections. These policies suggest he could potentially be released on parole after serving only part of his sentence—a chance for redemption that Deputy Martin’s family will never have.
Afterward, Senator Kevin Cramer shared with reporters his disappointment over how mental health aspects seemed overlooked during court proceedings but acknowledged that ultimately it was Ian’s decisions leading up to this tragedy—choices made long before under various conditions—that were responsible for what happened.
Kevin Cramer first entered politics in 2018 when he defeated Democrat Heidi Heitkamp and has since been re-elected. Known as a strong supporter of President-elect Donald Trump, he’s been vocal against liberal initiatives such as taxpayer-funded National Public Radio (NPR). However, earlier this year in February he diverged from fellow Senate Republicans regarding support for controversial foreign aid packages aimed at Ukraine.