Watch: Florida Trooper, Deputy Dodge Oncoming Vehicle While Assisting Disabled Motorist
Key Highlights
- A vehicle drifted onto the shoulder and struck patrol vehicles during a roadside assistance on I-95, narrowly missing law enforcement officers.
- Both officers were wearing reflective vests and had emergency lights activated, yet the vehicle still approached dangerously close.
- The incident underscores the importance of Florida's Move Over Law, which mandates drivers to slow down or move over when approaching emergency scenes.
VOLUSIA COUNTY, Florida -- A Florida Highway Patrol trooper and a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office deputy narrowly avoided serious injury early Tuesday when a vehicle drifted onto the shoulder of Interstate 95 and struck their patrol vehicles during a roadside assistance call.
Trooper Clark, assigned to Troop D, was assisting a disabled vehicle around 1 a.m. when the driver approached on the shoulder and nearly struck him and the deputy, according to a news release.
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles released dashboard camera video of the scene following the incident.
According to Clark, both law enforcement officers had their emergency lights activated, were wearing reflective vests, and were clearly visible at the scene.
Clark said he saw the vehicle approaching, heard it cross the rumble strips, and had only seconds to react. He and a sergeant jumped into a ditch as the vehicle sideswiped the patrol cars and crashed across the interstate.
No serious injuries were reported. Clark said the incident illustrates how quickly routine roadside duties can become life-threatening and highlights the ongoing safety risks officers face during traffic-related calls.
The trooper emphasized the importance of Florida’s Move Over Law, noting that similar laws exist nationwide and require drivers to move over or slow down when approaching emergency vehicles on the roadside.
Under Florida law, violating the Move Over requirement can result in a fine, additional fees, and points assessed on a driver’s license, according to section 316.126 of the Florida Statutes.