Senator Kevin Cramer's son, 42, pleads not guilty to homicide after 'smashing head-on into cop's car, sending victim flying 100ft during wild 100mph police chase when he stole mom's SUV'

The 43-year-old son of US Senator Kevin Cramer has pleaded not guilty to homicide after being accused of being involved in a car crash that left a sheriff’s deputy dead. 

Ian Cramer appeared at the McLean County Courthouse today and entered a not guilty plea to felony charges, waiving his right to a preliminary hearing. 

The accused has been charged with nine counts — which includes homicide while fleeing a peace officer, preventing arrest, reckless endangerment and fleeing an officer, as well as three misdemeanor drug charges and other low-level offenses of driving under suspension and marijuana possession.

Officer Paul Martin, 53, died while attempting to halt the car chase allegedly led by Cramer. Martin was launched 100ft into the air and was later pronounced dead. 

According to Bismarck Police, Cramer was driven by his mother, Kris, to a hospital at around 4.30pm on December 6 over concerns about his mental health. 

Ian Cramer appeared at the McLean County Courthouse today and entered in a not guilty plea to felony charges, waiving his right to a preliminary hearing

Cramer was arrested after being involved in a police car chase that resulted in the death of Officer Paul Martin (pictured) 

When she got out of the SUV, the accused took the wheel and drove through a door to get out of the enclosed ambulance bay at the hospital's emergency department.

The son of US Senator Kevin Cramer (pictured) is being held at the McLean County Jail in Washburn and a jury trial has been scheduled for July

Cramer hit speeds over 100 mph and kept going even after a spiked device flattened two tires, according to court documents. 

Over an hour later, a deputy in neighboring Mercer County spotted Cramer and the Chevrolet Tahoe in Hazen, a community about 70 miles northwest of Bismarck. 

The North Dakota Highway Patrol said in a news release that a chase began and the SUV crashed into a Mercer County sheriff's vehicle that was parked along a state highway.

A deputy, later identified as Officer Paul Martin, was standing behind the parked vehicle and preparing to deploy a tire deflation device to end the chase. 

The impact of the crash pushed the parked vehicle into the 53-year-old deputy, resulting in his death. 

He was evaluated at a hospital and then jailed. Cramer had initially been charged with manslaughter but it was later upgraded to the homicide count. Ian Cramer is pictured on the far right, and his senator father is pictured on the far left, top row 

 He has been charged with nine counts — which includes homicide while fleeing a peace officer, preventing arrest, reckless endangerment and fleeing an officer, as well as three misdemeanor drug charges and other low-level offenses of driving under suspension and marijuana possession

According to Bismarck police, Cramer was driven by his mother, Kris to a hospital at around 4.30pm on December 6 over concerns about his mental health. Ian Cramer is pictured second from the right, in the top row 

When she got out of the SUV, Cramer took the wheel and drove through a door to get out of the enclosed ambulance bay at the hospital's emergency department

The accused was evaluated at a hospital and then jailed. He had initially been charged with manslaughter but it was later upgraded to the homicide count.

The first-term Republican senator wrote at the time that his son 'suffers from serious mental disorders which manifest in severe paranoia and hallucinations.' 

'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,' Kevin Cramer said in a statement.

Last month, Cramer pleaded not guilty to separate felony charges of theft, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment in connection with the events at the hospital. 

He is currently being held at the McLean County Jail in Washburn on $500,000 cash bail. A jury trial is scheduled for June.