Dashcam and body camera footage released by the Tennessee Highway Patrol shows a vehicle striking a parked patrol cruiser during a traffic stop in Davidson County, Tennessee. The impact pushed the cruiser into the vehicle that a trooper had pulled over on Interstate 65. The collision also tore the body camera from the trooper’s uniform and sent it onto the floorboard. Authorities released the footage to reinforce Tennessee’s Move Over Law and urge drivers to protect emergency personnel.
| 1) | Crash unfolds during an Interstate 65 traffic stop |
| 2) | Video documents the force of the collision |
| 3) | Highway Patrol renews Move Over Law warning |
| 4) | Similar roadside crashes raise wider safety concerns |
| 5) | Drivers are urged to slow down or change lanes |
Crash unfolds during an Interstate 65 traffic stop
The incident occurred during a traffic stop on Interstate 65 in Davidson County, where a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper had stopped a vehicle along the roadway. The patrol cruiser was parked behind the stopped vehicle when another vehicle struck it from behind. The collision pushed the cruiser forward into the vehicle involved in the original stop, turning a routine roadside encounter into a chain-reaction crash.
The released footage provides views from both the patrol cruiser’s dash camera and the trooper’s body camera. The video shows how quickly a roadside situation can change when passing traffic fails to provide enough space for an emergency vehicle.
Video documents the force of the collision
The dashcam recording captures the approaching vehicle slamming into the rear of the parked cruiser. A body camera recording from inside the cruiser shows the impact from the trooper’s position. The force of the crash ripped the camera from the trooper’s uniform and sent it tumbling onto the floorboard.
The footage was released by the Tennessee Highway Patrol as a public safety warning. The available account identifies the vehicles involved and the location of the crash but does not provide additional details about injuries or enforcement action connected to the collision.
Highway Patrol renews Move Over Law warning
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said it released the video to remind motorists about the state’s Move Over Law. The law is intended to give law enforcement officers and other emergency responders a safer working area when vehicles display flashing lights on or near a roadway.
“When you see flashing lights ahead, move over when it is safe to do so. If you cannot move over, slow down and proceed with caution.”
The agency’s guidance focuses on two actions: changing lanes away from the emergency vehicle when it can be done safely, or reducing speed and proceeding carefully when a lane change is not possible.
Similar roadside crashes raise wider safety concerns
The Tennessee warning comes as law enforcement agencies across the country continue to report crashes and near-misses involving roadside stops. In Texas last month, a passing vehicle struck a parked patrol cruiser during an investigation involving a Forney police officer and a Kaufman County sheriff’s deputy. Authorities said the officers avoided injury by only a few feet and used the incident to reinforce Texas’ Move Over or Slow Down law.
In June, a Kansas Highway Patrol trooper reportedly ran for cover after an impaired driver hit the back of his patrol cruiser during a traffic stop. Authorities said the driver was later found to be under the influence and had drug paraphernalia. Earlier this year in Florida, a highway patrol trooper and a county sheriff’s deputy moved into a ditch to avoid a vehicle that veered onto the shoulder of Interstate 95 and sideswiped both patrol vehicles.
Drivers are urged to slow down or change lanes
The central safety message from the Tennessee footage is that motorists must remain alert when approaching flashing emergency lights. Drivers should move into an available lane away from the patrol vehicle when safe, while maintaining control and watching for stopped vehicles, officers and other responders.
When traffic, road conditions or lane restrictions prevent a safe move, drivers should slow down and pass with caution. The crash on Interstate 65 demonstrates why these precautions are important even when an emergency vehicle appears to be stopped and the traffic stop seems routine.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A vehicle struck a Tennessee Highway Patrol cruiser during a traffic stop on Interstate 65 in Davidson County. |
| 2 | The cruiser was pushed into the vehicle that the trooper had stopped. |
| 3 | Authorities urged drivers to move over when safe or slow down and proceed cautiously. |
Summary
The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s footage shows the sudden danger officers face during roadside traffic stops. By documenting the cruiser’s impact and the body camera being dislodged, the video underscores the need for drivers to recognize flashing emergency lights, change lanes when possible and reduce speed when a lane change cannot be made safely.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the crash occur?
The crash occurred on Interstate 65 in Davidson County, Tennessee, during a Tennessee Highway Patrol traffic stop.
What does the video show?
Dashcam footage shows a vehicle striking the rear of a parked patrol cruiser and pushing it into another stopped vehicle. Body camera footage shows the impact from inside the cruiser.
What should drivers do near emergency vehicles?
Drivers should move over when it is safe to do so. If they cannot change lanes safely, they should slow down and proceed with caution.
