NOTE: Video contains real crash footage; images may be disturbing to some.
Video courtesy of Utah Highway Patrol.
SOUTHERN UTAH – A routine traffic stop can turn deadly in an instant for the emergency responders on Utah’s roads.
Thursday, the Utah Highway Patrol released a video montage depicting actual roadside accidents that have occurred while officers, troopers and other responders were conducting traffic stops.
To view video, click play 
above
Included in the video is footage of a July 6 accident that involved UHP Trooper David Schiers, of Parowan.
On a rainy afternoon, Schiers was investigating an accident on Interstate 15 in Iron County when a passing vehicle hydroplaned and struck the car Schiers was assisting, pushing the vehicle into the trooper and pinning him beneath it.
Cedar City Fire responders had to use the Jaws of Life to free Schiers from beneath the vehicle. Schiers was taken to Valley View Medical Center in Cedar City in serious condition and spent two weeks in the hospital.
Responders face danger every day on Utah’s roads, and passing cars can pose one of the biggest threats.
“We wear bullet proof vests,” a UHP statement issued Thursday said, “our vest can’t stop these bullets (cars).”
The video released Thursday was created to demonstrate to motorists just how dangerous the roadside can be – and how important it is for drivers to slow down and move over when they’re passing a traffic stop or accident scene.
“I’ve been hit seriously four times myself,” Parowan City Police Officer Stanley Talbot said in a July interview. “It’s scary out there sometimes; absolutely it is.”
Related posts
- Community welcomes home UHP trooper injured in line of duty
- UHP provides update on trooper injured in I-15 crash; STGnews Videocast
- Utah Highway Patrol trooper injured in accident on I-15
- UHP Sgt. has second close call on I-15, 5 transported to hospital
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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.
Protip: When showing a video attempting to convey the seriousness of an issue, do NOT drown it out with insanely over-the-top volume in the ‘dramatic’ music.
I spent half the video trying to balance the volume to be low enough to not be annoying, but bring it back in time to hear the UHP trooper speaking.
I got halfway through then quit watching.
If it is this dangerous, be sure the violation you are detaining someone for is worth the risk.