Sign Crashes Through Windshield, Narrowly Misses Police Officer
Jan 31, 2020, 8:23 PM
A sign crashed through a West Jordan police officer's windshield, narrowly missing the officer. (Courtesy West Jordan Police Department)
(Courtesy West Jordan Police Department)
WEST JORDAN, Utah – An officer with the West Jordan Police Department narrowly escaped injury after a driver hit a street sign and the pole crashed through the officer’s windshield.
Officials said that officer was pretty shaken up but was otherwise OK and police are now searching for the driver responsible for the incident, which happened Tuesday night at the intersection of Redwood Road and 7800 South.
“It was very violent,” said Officer Brett Madsen with West Jordan Police. “When you watch the video, you can really see just how scary it was.”
The officer was driving north on Redwood Road around 9 p.m. Tuesday when he slowed down to attempt a left turn. That’s when his dashboard camera captured what happened next.
WATCH: West Jordan Police officer narrowly escapes injury as pole crashes through his windshield. Now, they're looking for the driver responsible. #KSLTV @KSL5TV pic.twitter.com/yVkAeqkofB
— Ashley Kewish (@ashleykewish) January 31, 2020
A van can be seen striking a median pole just in front of the officer’s cruiser.
“The median post went through the front windshield and landed in the passenger seat with a high rate of speed with a lot of force,” Madsen said.
Police believe the vehicle caught on camera causing the incidents was a red or burgundy Chrysler Town and Country van.
The van was then seen on camera taking off without stopping.
“I believe they had to have known,” Madsen said. “The damage on the vehicle would’ve been towards the left front portion. We’d don’t believe it took out the headlight because the headlight was still shining as it passed.”
Police said this type of close call could have easily been deadly.
“That could’ve been you with your significant other or child,” Madsen said. “The blow could’ve have been fatal or at the very least caused severe injuries.”
Now, officials are asking for the public’s help in finding the driver.
“We want to see exactly what their side of the story was and what was going through their mind and what exactly happened,” Madsen said.
Investigators were looking at business surveillance video to see if they can get a license plate or anything that helps identify the driver. Anyone with information was asked to call the West Jordan Police Department.
