Holly MatkinAdel, IA – Bodycam footage captured the moment when a Dallas County deputy was hit by an SUV while trying to help a stranded driver on the snow-covered interstate earlier this month (video below).
The terrifying incident occurred at the 102.5 mile marker of Interstate 80 at approximately 4:20 p.m. on March 11, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) said in a press release the following day.
DCSO Deputy Brandon Bjoin was outside of his patrol vehicle assisting a driver who had become stuck in the median when a black Chevrolet Suburban suddenly veered into the median and sideswiped him and his cruiser, bodycam footage showed.
The SUV’s side mirror hit him in his right arm, knocking him to the ground.
“Here comes the car and just luckily glances him – doesn’t hit him square,” Dallas County Sheriff Adam Infante told KCCI as he watched the footage back. “It’s hard to watch. I think everybody who sees it for the first time…their reaction is complete shock.”
The stranded motorist Deputy Bjoin had been speaking with was not struck by the vehicle, the DCSO noted.
Deputy Bjoin’s bodycam was sent flying due to the impact and landed in the snow.
The injured deputy was transported to Methodist Hospital in downtown Des Moines by ambulance.
His arm was severely bruised, but Deputy Bjoin was able to be released from the hospital to continue his recovery at home.
“Deputy Bjoin was extremely lucky that he did not suffer a major injury or death,” the DCSO said. “The Dallas County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the rapid response by Dallas County EMS, the Stuart Police Department, the Earlham Police Department, Earlham Fire Department, and the Iowa State Patrol.”
Sheriff Infante said the near-fatal incident should serve as a reminder to drivers to slow down and move over when they see emergency lights on the side of the roadway, KCCI reported.
“It is sobering to realize how close you are to being seriously hurt or even dying,” the sheriff said.
Watch the incident unfold in the video below:
A vehicle sideswiped a deputy in Iowa and knocked him to the ground as he spoke with a driver who was stuck. The driver he was assisting was not hit, and the deputy escaped with just bruising on his arm. pic.twitter.com/XzNTMopK8i
— 48 Hours (@48hours) March 14, 2023
