Anchorage

WATCH: APD video shows out-of-control SUV on Seward Highway narrowly missing tow truck driver

DASHCAM: Close call on the Seward Highway

On Christmas Day, a local tow truck driver and Officer Busby had a close call while helping a disabled vehicle on the Seward Highway. Had any tiny variable been slightly different in these 3 seconds, this could have been an incredibly tragic day. We're grateful that nobody was hurt. This serves as a critical reminder that especially during these winter months where our roads are covered in ice and snow, everyone MUST exercise extra caution behind the wheel. Slow down. Plan ahead. Your life and the lives of others depend on it. Be safe out there.

Posted by Anchorage Police Department on Saturday, December 28, 2019

It was a Christmas Day miracle for a local tow truck driver, who narrowly missed getting clipped by an SUV that lost control while coming around a curve on the Seward Highway south of Anchorage late Wednesday morning.

The near-miss was caught on dash cam video from an Anchorage police officer, whose vehicle was parked behind a red truck getting hooked up for a tow at a southbound pullout between mile markers 104.5 and 104, west of Indian. The Anchorage Police Department posted the video on Facebook on Saturday morning.

The video shows Officer Stephen Busby walking back to his patrol car before the tow truck driver crouches near the front driver’s side wheel of the red truck to examine his rig before leaving. Then a white SUV heading north on the highway comes barreling around the bend.

The SUV immediately drifts into the oncoming traffic lane, then fishtails out with the rear tires swerving into the shoulder, narrowly missing the crouching tow truck driver.

He doesn’t appear to notice the vehicle flying toward him at first. When the vehicle is just a few feet away, the tow truck driver straightens up, right as the out-of-control SUV brushes past him, dusting him with snow.

The man quickly stands up and presses himself against the truck as the speeding vehicle flies out of frame.

The driver then walks toward Officer Busby and the two chat briefly, looking back toward the speeding vehicle.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to police, there were no injuries. Police spokesman MJ Thim said Officer Busby didn’t pursue the driver, as his primary concern was making sure the tow truck driver was OK. APD said the close encounter serves as a reminder to drive carefully in icy conditions.

Within three hours of being posted, the video received about 130,000 views, more than 4,000 shares and nearly 400 comments. Some commenters chided the driver for excessive speed, while others commended them on executing a “sick drift.”

Aubrey Wieber

Aubrey Wieber covers Anchorage city government, politics and general assignments for the Daily News. He previously covered the Oregon Legislature for the Salem Reporter, was a reporter for the Salt Lake Tribune and Bend Bulletin, and was a reporter and editor at the Post Register in Idaho Falls. Contact him at awieber@adn.com.

ADVERTISEMENT