Virginia officer saves colleague from oncoming car

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Post by NHGF [Feed] » Sat Oct 30, 2021 4:37 pm

ImageGate City Police Department A Virginia officer reacted quickly to pull a colleague away from an oncoming, out-of-control car as it crashed into their SUV patrol vehicle, sending it barreling towards them. A 13-second video clip released by the Gate City police showed Officer Matthew Stewart’s quick thinking and reflexes as he pulled fellow Officer Jessica McGraw away from a careening white car that slammed into their police SUV while parked on the side of the road. The crash happened around 5 p.m. about six miles from the Tennessee border on Highway 23 as the officers were responding to a previous crash investigation. Stewart could be seen talking with McGraw beside their SUV about a driver’s license status when the white car can be seen sliding from the outside of the frame, crossing the median and slamming into their SUV. The Gate City Police Department released a statement on Facebook that explained how Stewart “caught a glimpse” of the vehicle as it rammed into their SUV and sent their car backwards towards them. “Officer Stewart caught a glimpse of the vehicle coming towards them and was able to react within a moment’s notice to grab McGraw and pull her out of the path of the spinning patrol car,” the statement read. “Officer Stewart immediately checked the well-being of the driver while Officer McGraw relayed information to Scott County Central Dispatch to get rescue and fire units in route,” the statement continued. Stewart suffered a minor leg injury due to the brush guard of the patrol vehicle swiping Stewart’s leg as he pushed McGraw away. The driver of the white car was given a citation for failing to maintain control of their vehicle. “It is my belief the quick actions of Officer Stewart not only saved himself from serious bodily injury or death but also that of Officer McGraw,” Chief Justin Miller said.