This Patrol cruiser didn't have a chance as this man, Thomas Simond, 42, of Lee County smashed into the side of it.
Officer Darrell Dowdey got the call to help out with a fatal fire scene on Highway 377 his job was to direct traffic away from the scene.
"They requested assistance from the Smithfield police department for traffic control and crowd control."
He was diverting cars when he noticed a Nissan titan pickup coming right at him at a high speed, he said he was trying to wave the driver down to stop but had jump out of the road to save his own life.
"He just continued to come at me I had to run off the side of the road."
Police say Simond continued speeding through scene smashing into this SPD dodge charger... Slamming it in a ditch. Crashes like these are responsible for numerous law enforcement deaths and injuries
Just two weeks ago an Atlanta police officer was during a traffic stop by a suspected drunk driver.
"On traffic stops I have been hit by a mirror by people who refuse to get over for the blue lights."
Not only is not getting over dangerous but against the law
"State law is called the move over law which means that they have to move over to another lane."
Dowdey says so many thoughts ran through his mind as the car sped towards him
"You don't know if he is intentionally the law enforcement officer if he is drunk, high you just don't know. "
He says the experience was very scary.
"Took me probably 2 and a half hours before my nerves settled down."
"I'm thankful that none of the family members as well as the occupants of the vehicle behind me was not injured."
And this is one officer who is hopeful life saving lessons will be learned from this and encourage drivers to watch out for officers and pedestrians.
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