MOORESVILLE, Ind. — Newly released body camera footage captures the harrowing moment a Mooresville police officer was struck by a fleeing vehicle during a high-speed pursuit, FOX 59 reported.
The April 27 incident began when Morgan County sheriff’s deputies initiated a pursuit of a black Dodge Challenger. Officer Chase Pitcock of the Mooresville Police Department was standing on an intersecting road and preparing to deploy stop sticks when the suspect abruptly swerved onto the intersection in an attempt to avoid the tire deflation device.
The bodycam video shows Pitcock diving out of the way as the car clipped him and sped off. He suffered a broken thumb and leg injuries but avoided more serious harm.
“It’s very chilling to see that,” said Mooresville Police Chief Kerry Buckner. “Everybody I’ve showed is like, that could have been really bad.”
The pursuit, which reached speeds up to 130 miles per hour, began after the driver was involved in an illegal street takeover in Monroe County before being spotted again in Morgan County, according to the report. The vehicle had fake paper plates, and the pursuit was ultimately terminated near Camby due to safety concerns.
Chief Buckner emphasized the inherent risks of police pursuits, noting the 2023 death of Indiana State Trooper Aaron Smith, who was killed while deploying stop sticks during a separate pursuit.
This video, guided by insights from risk management expert Gordon Graham, offers a detailed examination of best practices and safety considerations that can protect both officers and the public during high-risk vehicle pursuits.
“Pursuits by nature are very dangerous,” Buckner said. “The longer you let them go, the more chance you have of something bad happening.”
Authorities have not yet identified or arrested the suspect, according to the report.
