The Lawrenceville Police Department (GA) released video, both from dashcam and an officer’s body-worn camera (BWC), of when an officer’s patrol vehicle was struck last week by an oncoming pickup truck that was being pursued by a state trooper. Both the officer and a recruit that was a passenger were taken to an area hospital and treated then released hours later.

Officers were trying to locate a Georgia State Patrol trooper who was attempting to stop the stolen truck. As the patrol vehicle accelerated up a hill, the fleeing pickup truck crested the hill, lost control, and slid sideways into the police SUV. The cameras recorded the impact and the officer’s immediate deployment of a pocket knife to cut his seatbelt, cut away deployed air bags, and smash his window.

Once he helped the recruit from the wrecked patrol SUV, the officer found nearby bystanders at a business and told them, “He’s a Lawrenceville recruit, please keep him safe.”

The officer immediately ran back to the scene to join officers in apprehending the driver of the overturned truck.

“We are extremely grateful that our officer and recruit only sustained minor injuries during this incident,” stated the department when it released the video online. “We wanted to thank our community, particularly those citizens that helped keep our recruit safe while our officer rejoined the fight. Our officer relied on his training and remained calm during the entire incident.”

The suspect was arrested and charged with multiple felonies.