Dashcam video released by the Tennessee Highway Patrol captures the moment a patrol cruiser was struck during a traffic stop on Interstate 65 in Davidson County. The incident, which occurred on a stretch of highway where a trooper had pulled over a vehicle, saw another car collide with the rear of the parked patrol car, pushing it into the vehicle being stopped.
Footage from the patrol cruiser's own body camera shows the impact from inside the vehicle. The force of the collision was significant enough to dislodge the body camera from the trooper's uniform.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol shared the video as a public service announcement, emphasizing the importance of the state's Move Over Law. The law requires drivers to yield to emergency vehicles with flashing lights by moving over one lane when possible, or by slowing down and proceeding with caution if they cannot move over.
This incident is one of several highlighted by law enforcement agencies nationwide this year that underscore the risks officers face during roadside stops. In a similar event last month, a Forney, Texas, police officer and a Kaufman County sheriff's deputy narrowly avoided injury when a passing vehicle struck a parked patrol cruiser. In June, a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper had to quickly move out of the way after an impaired driver crashed into the back of his patrol cruiser during a traffic stop.
Earlier this year, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and a Volusia County sheriff's deputy were forced to jump into a ditch to avoid being hit after a driver swerved onto the shoulder of Interstate 95, sideswiping both their patrol vehicles. These incidents serve as a stark reminder to drivers about the importance of paying attention and adhering to traffic laws when approaching emergency scenes or vehicles with flashing lights.