A deputy in Placer County, California, was investigating a hit-and-run incident in Loomis when he was almost hit by a pickup truck. The driver is accused of drunk driving and, as per the police, had prior convictions.
According to newly released bodycam footage released by the Placer County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), the incident ocurred on Friday, July 17. At around 10:20 p.m., a deputy pulled over a truck at the intersection of Taylor Road and Horseshoe Bar Road.
The authorities detailed that the truck in question had been involved in a previous hit-and-run. The PCSO shared no further details surrounding this incident.
All three occupants of the truck were standing on the sidewalk. And while the deputy was documenting the scene, a tragedy almost took place.
Narrowly Avoiding Tragedy
The deputy began taking photos of the pulled-over truck. However, as shown in the 29-second clip attached above, incoming headlights can be spotted at the 5-second mark.
A pickup truck was driving directly at the scene, and, therefore, at the deputy. In the blink of an eye, the law enforcement agent managed to jump out of the way at the very last second.
He avoided being hit by the vehicle, and the three individuals standing on the sidewalk weren’t hurt either. Still, an impact had taken place. The pickup truck sideswiped the vehicle the deputy was documenting at the time.
Driver Meets Tree, Arrested
According to the PCSO, the pickup truck driver didn’t stop right after the collision occurred. Instead, he chose to continue driving for nearly a block.
During this post-collision travel, the driver is accused of nearly hitting pedestrians. This dangerous driving exhibit, fortunately, wouldn’t last long, as the car struck a tree on Taylor Road, putting an end to a very scary string of events.
Video footage shows the nearly-struck deputy exiting his patrol unit and walking toward the pickup truck driver. The man, who has not been identified, was placed under arrest.
Booked and Charged
The driver was booked into the Placer County Jail on multiple charges. These include hit-and-run, driving under the influence, and driving under the influence with prior convictions.
The PCSO expressed their relief that no person involved, especially the deputy, was hurt during the incident. However, the sheriff’s department warned that such an outcome could drastically vary in other similar roadside emergencies.
“Please slow down, move over, and help make sure every first responder, and every family waiting for them, gets that same outcome,” the PCSO concluded.