A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper narrowly escaped serious injury and possibly even death when he dodged a vehicle that was being driven by a suspected human smuggler.
The incident happened on March 24 in Zavala County, Texas – right by the U.S.-Mexico border – after troopers attempted to stop the suspect, authorities told Fox News.
Instead of pulling over, the driver led troopers on a high-speed pursuit, reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour, according to police.
When one trooper tried to stop the smuggler by laying down tire spikes, the suspect stepped on the gas and tried to run him over, police said.
Following the near-miss, the driver lost control of his vehicle, got out and took off on foot. He was promptly arrested.
The department released dash cam footage of the chase, as well as video from the body camera worn by the trooper who was targeted in the incident.
"He just tried to run over the trooper! Just tried to run over the trooper," an officer is heard telling dispatchers on the dash cam video.
"Damn, that was close," the second trooper says, after his brush with death. He was not injured.
The suspect, identified as 21-year-old Nicholas Rivas from San Antonio, is now facing charges of felony evading arrest and aggravated assault on a public servant. Rivas was also wanted out of San Patricio County, Texas for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, police said.
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