A state trooper was tackled to the ground, nearly had his gun taken, and was pepper-sprayed with his own pepper spray, all while trying to avoid arresting a man he pulled over for speeding. Thankfully, a Good Samaritan with a concealed weapon permit intervened on the officer's behalf.
Footage obtained by a local news station shows a physical confrontation that took place between an Illinois state trooper and a driver on May 25.
A spokesperson from the Illinois State Police told Newsweek in an email that a trooper pulled the driver over after observing a traffic violation. The driver also reportedly did not have a valid driver's license.
ABC affiliate station WEEK reported that the driver, Randy Turner, was pulled over by Trooper Matthew Niehaus for allegedly driving 109 miles per hour in a 70 miles per hour zone.
An Illinois state trooper was tackled to the ground, had his service pistol taken, and was pepper-sprayed with his own pepper spray, all while trying to avoid arresting a man he pulled over for speeding....An Illinois state trooper was tackled to the ground, had his service pistol taken, and was pepper-sprayed with his own pepper spray, all while trying to avoid arresting a man he pulled over for speeding. A passerby with a concealed weapon permit stopped to assist the officer. Above, a stock image of a person holding a handgun. Getty ImagesAccording to the Illinois General Assembly, a person found driving on a highway faster than 35 miles per hour over the speed limit may face a misdemeanor.
WEEK, which obtained the dashcam footage that can be viewed here, reported that Niehaus said he would not arrest Turner but would issue a ticket and call a tow truck because he was driving with an expired license.
"While awaiting a tow truck, the driver became aggressive and attacked the trooper," information sent to Newsweek stated. "The suspect then attempted to steal the tow truck, which had just arrived."
WEEK posted a snippet of the footage, and Turner is seen tackling Niehaus. In a video still, Turner is seen with his fist raised as Niehaus is on the ground.
Niehaus was also allegedly sprayed with his own pepper spray before he called for backup.
Per WEEK, a passerby stopped on the side of the road and aimed their gun at Turner, which can be briefly seen in the clip.
Turner attempted to get into the tow truck, but he was stopped before he could leave.
"I tried to be nice to this guy," Niehaus can be heard saying in the video after Turner was apprehended. "I let my guard down."
He then asked who came to his aid.
"That was me, sir," said the Good Samaritan.
"Thank you," Officer Niehaus said.
"The Trooper then used his Taser on the driver and placed him into custody," information sent to Newsweek concluded. "No further information will be disseminated."
WEEK reported that Turner faces several charges, including disarming a police officer, aggravated battery and unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon.
He was also charged with driving under the influence of a drug.
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