By Police1 Staff
URBANDALE, Iowa — Dash cam video has been released of a July 20 pursuit that ended with police smashing the windows of a vehicle and an accidental discharge of one of their service weapons.
The Des Moines Register reports the pursuit began after a motorist reported a driver had run a red light.
Reserve deputy Troy Cline and Deputy Doug Miller with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office began to pursue the suspect after he failed to stop.
The driver, 24-year-old Steven Schulte, ran an additional 2 red lights, hit traffic cones, and drove the wrong way through a construction zone during the pursuit. Several vehicles had to swerve out of the way to avoid being struck by Schulte’s car.
One officer attempted to stop Schulte by striking his bumper, but the tactic failed.
After police trapped Schulte between their cars, he refused to exit his vehicle, responding to officers with a “faraway stare,” according to the report.
Police were forced to break into the vehicle through the windows. Reserve deputy Cline mistakenly fired one round as he went to re-holster his weapon, according to KCCI.
No one was hurt in the incident. Schulte was transported to the hospital and will not be charged in the incident, due to an unnamed “medical issue.”
Officials are investigating the accidental discharge.