Jul 23, 2008 1:12 pm US/Central
Video Shows Officer Nearly Killed By Drunken Driver
BURNSVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) ―
Most people have heard the stories of how dangerous police work is. A video released by Burnsville Police proves it.
Burnsville Police Chief Robert Hawkins released video and pictures of crashes that show what police officers and drivers face when other drivers don't pay attention behind the wheel.
"I'm pretty fortunate to be here right now," said Burnsville Police Officer Paul Oelrich.
He is the latest Burnsville officer nearly killed by a drunk or inattentive driver. A car he had stopped for a traffic violation was struck by a drunk driver on July 11, as Oelrich stood only a couple of feet away.
The dash-cam video from his police car shows the second car barreling towards him. Police said the man that was driving had a blood-alcohol reading nearly two and 1/2 times the legal limit.
"And the next thing I knew, I heard a loud bang and then I was rolling in the ditch. And a few seconds later, I could hear screaming from the vehicle," recalled Oelrich.
He ran to his car to get his first aid kit and help the woman in the first car. Now, he thinks about the crash all the time.
"As I was sitting there, the heart starts racing, start getting trembles. It's just -- you're in awe. It's unbelievable," said Oelrich.
The crash pushed Chief Hawkins to call a press conference Wednesday morning about the situation. Eight Burnsville Police Officers in the last two and 1/2 years have been hit.
"Enough's enough," said Hawkins. "Come on gang, Help us out."
Hawkins added that drivers not paying attention, talking on their phones and in too much of a hurry are causing the crashes. Some are drunk.
He then asked drivers that when they see the flashing lights, they pull into the next lane and keep the officers and drivers they've pulled over safe.
"What I'd like you to do is help keep us safe on that shoulder. Ultimately, if you are helping keep us safe, you'll allow us to do our job which is to keep you safe," said Hawkins.
Putting an extra lane between yourself and a stopped emergency vehicle whenever possible is more than a matter of safety, it's also state law.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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