The Tennessee Highway Patrol released dashcam footage from Memphis showing a man in an orange vest step into a patrol vehicle’s path, grab its push bars, fall backward, then get up and leave. The agency says the video disproves social media claims that a trooper ran over or injured the man. The Patrol reiterated that entering active roadways is dangerous and that troopers are trained to prioritize public safety.
Dashcam in Memphis Shows Protester Appearing to Feign Being Struck; Tennessee Highway Patrol Refutes Viral Claims
Tennessee Highway Patrol released dashcam video showing a protester grabbing a patrol car and falling, disputing viral claims he was struck during a Memphis protest.
Dashcam footage released by the Tennessee Highway Patrol shows a trooper steering through a group of protesters in Memphis while a man in a bright orange vest walks into the patrol vehicle’s path, grasps the push bars, falls backward and then stands up and walks away. The agency posted the clip to social media and says the video disproves viral reports that the trooper ran over or injured the man.
The protester dramatically fell backward while holding on to the patrol car's push bar.
What the Video Shows
The video captures a trooper attempting to navigate past protesters. As the patrol vehicle moves forward, a man wearing a construction-style orange vest and carrying a handheld radio appears from behind a white SUV and steps in front of the vehicle. The trooper’s audio is audible on the clip: "Move! Get out of my way! Get out of my way! Move!"
The protester popped right back up after falling backward.
Instead of stepping aside, the man grabs the vehicle’s push bars and falls backward. He quickly pulls himself to his feet, gestures toward the trooper by raising his index finger, and then walks back toward his vehicle. The clip circulated online with claims that the trooper had struck or run over the man.
Agency Response
"We respect and protect the right of people to protest peacefully. That right, however, does not include entering active roadways or placing themselves in danger," the Tennessee Highway Patrol said. "In this case, video clearly shows the individual holding onto the front of the trooper's vehicle, lying down, then standing back up afterward and leaving the scene under his own power. At no point does the video show the individual being run over or injured, despite the narratives circulating on social media."
The Patrol emphasized that its priority is public safety for protesters, motorists and troopers. The agency added that when someone enters an active roadway it creates a serious and immediate risk, and that troopers are trained to respond in ways intended to prevent injuries or worse outcomes.
Context and Caution
Footage captured on dashcams can be helpful for clarifying disputed incidents, but social media claims sometimes spread faster than verification. The Tennessee Highway Patrol’s released video aims to correct mischaracterizations and highlight the dangers of entering traffic during demonstrations.
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