A crash, then sparks. Video shows NC trooper using his car to block wrong-way driver
State trooper Cody E. Thao zoomed through Interstate 40 past midnight on April 8 to respond to a call for assistance in a high-speed chase.
Thao turned right onto the eastbound ramp for exit 300 for Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh, newly released footage from his dashboard camera shows. Then, the fugitive car from the chase comes into view, barreling through the exit to escape patrol cars and drive the wrong way on the interstate.
Barely slowing down and without stopping, Thao made a sudden left turn to stop the car, which crashed into his cruiser’s right side. Thao grunts on impact, then immediately radios in that the fugitive driver has been stopped.
The dramatic 34-second video was released along with praise for his actions by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol on Wednesday.
“I could not be prouder of Trp. Thao and his quick decision to stop the wrong way driver, his actions most undoubtedly saved lives,” said Col. Freddy L. Johnson Jr., commander of the State Highway Patrol, in a news release. “His willingness to put himself in harms way is representative of the lifesaving work our members do each day. Placing others before ourselves is not just a saying amongst the law enforcement profession, it’s a reality of what we do for the betterment of the communities we serve.”
Thao, who has been with the Highway Patrol for on year, was examined by EMS but wasn’t injured in the crash. The driver, identified as 26-year-old Joshua Ray Bibey, of Raleigh, was transported to Wake Med with suspected injuries.
He has been charged by the NCSHP with driving while impaired.
Before the abrupt end to the chase, Bibey refused to pull over at the request of Johnston County deputies, reported ABC11, The News & Obserer’s newsgathering partner. The chase went on to I-40 and eventually Raleigh.
This story was originally published May 4, 2022 at 6:19 PM with the headline "A crash, then sparks. Video shows NC trooper using his car to block wrong-way driver."
