DPS NEWS

Determined Trooper Stops Wrong Way Driver

This could have been much worse. We’d like to recognize trooper Stanford who put his life on the line to possibly save others. When dispatchers broadcast an attempt to locate a wrong way driver to our troopers, it’s a scary situation. But training prepares our troopers for unpredictable circumstances like these. The dash cam footage in this video is scary but very real. This video shows the determination our troopers have to stop wrong way drivers.

At about 10:45 p.m. on Monday March 19, a wrong-way driver was reported on U.S. 89. In order to stop the vehicle, UHP trooper Stanford slowed his vehicle down to almost a stop, and waited for the wrong-way driver to approach him. Just as the vehicle got close to him, Stanford hit the gas pedal and used his patrol car to sideswipe the other car, causing it to spin out and come to a stop.

The manuever is risky and could result in the trooper being seriously injured. But these techniques are required in order to stop these dangers drivers and avoid possibly fatally injuring innocent drivers.  The manuever is also something troopers train for and have been recently recognized for on the national stage.

Stanford was transported to a local hospital and was treated for a minor knee injury. We are happy to report Trooper Stanford will make a full recovery and is eager to get back on the road.