Dash cam video shows collision with sheriff's deputy

MILWAUKEE -- The Milwaukee County Sheriff's Department released on Monday dash cam video that shows an SUV slamming into the rear-end of a sheriff's deputy squad early Saturday morning.

Sheriff's deputies responded to a single-car crash on southbound I-894 near Cleveland Ave. around 2 a.m. Saturday. The vehicle started on fire in the right distress lane, and while deputies were outside their squads tending to the fire and investigating the crash, another vehicle spun out across from the initial crash scene, coming to a stop facing oncoming traffic next to the center median wall.

Moments later, the driver of that car walked across the freeway to join the deputies.

Within seconds, an SUV spun out of control toward the five people standing behind the squad at the first crash. The deputies saw the SUV suddenly slide across three lanes of traffic and pulled the citizens over the median wall as they jumped to safety. The vehicle crashed into the squad just as they cleared the wall.

"These deputies had to make a quick decision but basically saved the lives of the other people who were around the area," said Deputy Steve Paull. "They literally grabbed them and took them over the wall with them to save them from this vehicle that was out of control."

Deputy Paull trained the other deputies involved in how to handle a crash scene. What he sees on the dash cam tape shows that training paid off.

The West Allis Police Department responded to assist investigating the squad crash. The 24-year-old male driver of the SUV was cited by West Allis police for driving too fast for conditions.

Alcohol was not a factor in the crashes, and all drivers were wearing their safety belts.