HOME / NEWS / CRIME & JUSTICE

Video shows Fairfax County cop's close shave with death as speeding teen loses control of car

'Make sure we're not going so fast we can't control our own motor vehicle,' Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis warned

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA: The Fairfax County Police shared a harrowing video that showed a cop almost getting killed by a speeding vehicle. The car was reportedly driven by a teenager, who suffered minor wounds, along with his two passengers.

The incident happened Monday, May 1, when a patrol officer pulled up another vehicle, a gray 2012 BMW 750 Series, on southbound Fairfax County Parkway, before Braddock Road, and was talking to the driver. At that moment, the teen’s out-of-control car sped toward the cop from the opposite lane, WUSA reported.

ALSO READ

Two men banned from driving killed after car crashes and burst into flames during high-speed police chase

Paul Vines: Father who killed his 12-year-old son in high-speed car crash walks free as wife urges court not to jail him

A close shave

The dashcam footage released by the department showed the car smashing the median before striking the vehicle, which was stopped by the officer. The cop is seen running for his life. He soon called for assistance and also went on to determine if both the cars’ drivers were fine.

Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis called the cop's survival a miracle and also identified the vehicle as a black 2018 BMW M3, which was cruising at more than 120 miles per hour at the time. The chief said, “It was a rocket and then it became a missile.” The driver has been slapped with reckless driving charges.

‘An important reminder’

Fairfax County Police Deputy Chief Bob Blakely reportedly stated, “We have to call to attention the young drivers, the teen drivers who are responsible for an incredible number of excessive speed-related crashes.”

Blakely also noted, “62% more tickets to teen drivers for speeding offenses; 98% more for violating signs or signals, so stop signs, red lights, and even the speed limit; 181% increase in failing to pay full-time attention, which is often associated with a crash. Year to date we have eight fatal crash victims. Three of those fatal crash victims were caused because of the driving behavior of a teen driver.”

Davis added, “Parents need to take a minute and talk to our teen drivers and we all need to take a minute and make sure we're not going so fast we can't control our own motor vehicle.”

Besides, a statement by Fairfax County Police Department said, "The Fairfax County Police Department is relieved that this crash did not result in a tragedy. This is an important reminder that life can change in an instant. It is the driver’s responsibility to drive safely and arrive safely. The Fairfax County Police Department is committed to traffic safety and will continue to enforce traffic laws and educate drivers in an attempt to curb the senseless loss of life that occurs during preventable fatal crashes."

‘Glad everyone is safe’

Meanwhile, the incident has gotten a lot of attention online with a user tweeting, “Typical BMW driver that thinks they are Lewis Hamilton. Glad everyone is safe.” Another shared, “I hope the officer is doing ok. And how brave and amazing that he jumped right back into action to help others. Thank you!”

A third said, “Terrifying!  My father retired from @FairfaxCountyPD, always worried for his safety every day. Glad this officer is going to be ok.” Someone else added, “Amazing nobody was killed in that crash. It shows you just how dangerous it is for police officers and anybody else who is alongside a road. Speeding is out of control.”

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.