Last week, a deputy with the Glynn County (Georgia) Sheriff’s Office positioned his car in front of a reckless driver who was accused of stealing a car and leading deputies on a chase.

The Glynn County Sheriff’s Office said Deputy Christopher Hatcher’s quick thinking before the impact of a crash during the chase helped protect drivers nearby from possibly being injured or killed.

A dash camera video showed exactly what happened in the moments leading up to the impact when the reckless driver hit the rear of a pickup and then drifted sideways into the deputy’s car.

“I attempted or tried to move out of the way but then for some reason, I turned right into his car, which deflected him into the parking lot. So, the two cars behind me were still left safe,” Hatcher said. “[I was thinking] that I need to get my car out of the way so I don’t get hurt and then for some reason, I’m like nope, let’s go into the car. It was quick. I’ve never had an airbag go off before and I don’t want it to ever happen again.”

With a swollen forearm and some other bruises, Deputy Hatcher returned to work two days later.

Deputy Hatcher was awarded the Sheriff’s Office Medal of Valor for Heroism.