CALHOUN COUNTY, Mich. – Dash camera video from inside the cruiser of Trooper Dan Thayer shows exactly what he saw the night of Sunday, Oct. 15th when he was dispatched to a high-speed chase.
Police say the suspect, 29-year-old Amir Davis, stole money from a bar in Jackson County then got into a stolen vehicle and eventually crossed into Calhoun County.
Trooper Thayer, along with a deputy from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department, set up a road block at the corner of M-60 and Old US 27. About one minute later, the trooper is directing innocent bystanders out of the way.
“Take a right and get out of the way for me, real quick, thank you,” he said.
Just 25 seconds after that interaction he warns the deputy, “Get ready. Grab your reel. Here it comes.”
The video shows a Dodge Charger followed by cruisers in support coming right for them. The Charger stops just short of the road spikes, both the deputy and Trooper Thayer run straight for the car shouting at the driver to unlock the doors.
The two pound on the window, and Trooper Thayer ended up with a bloody hand trying to get at the driver.
“Unlock the doors right now!” You can hear him shout at the driver.
Eventually, Davis unlocked his car doors. Officers were able to pin him to the ground but the sheriff’s deputy was still in harm’s way.
“Hit reverse,” yells the deputy. “Hit reverse, the car is on my foot!”
After Davis was subdued, Thayer explains to his fellow trooper what he saw behind the wheel as he approached the Charger.
“He just sat there looking at us like he was higher than a kite or something,” said Thayer.
Davis is then seen being led off in handcuffs. Both the trooper and the deputy received minor injuries and were cleared to go back to work.
