Oklahoma’s Sand Springs Police Department has released dramatic video showing the moment a suspect rammed into a patrol car, flinging the officer out of the vehicle and onto the road.
The incident took place on 6 November and the suspect has been identified by local media as 41-year-old Stacy Ann Bunsey.
According to NBC, Master Patrol Officer Matt Stacy was responding to a report of a stolen vehicle from a car dealership.
In a statement, Mr Stacy explained "I exited my patrol car with the intent to stop her with my spike system.”
“It soon became apparent that I was not going to have time to do this, and that she intended on trying to hurt or kill me.”
Mr Stacy fired two shots in Bunsey’s direction – the first bullet struck the hood of the suspect’s car and the second hit the officer’s doorframe.
"I responded in the way my training and instincts led me.”
Bunsey was eventually tasered and arrested; and she has now been charged for several offences including assault and battery with a deadly weapon on a police officer.
Mr Stacy miraculously escaped with only minor injuries.
