Officer Steven Anuszkiewicz of Norwalk, Connecticut, stopped a suspected wrong-way driver on Route 7 before a possible head-on collision. Dashcam and bodycam footage show him driving beside traffic cones and into live lanes to signal the vehicle to pull over. The car appeared to be a Tesla, which drew strong online reaction, and no serious injuries were reported. Authorities have not released further details about the stop.
Norwalk Officer Risks Life To Stop Wrong-Way Tesla On Route 7
Image Credit: Norwalk, CT Police Department
Officer Steven Anuszkiewicz of the Norwalk Police Department intervened on Route 7 after spotting a vehicle traveling the wrong way on a busy stretch of highway. Bodycam and dashcam footage show the officer driving along the opposite side of a line of traffic cones before moving into live traffic to signal the driver to pull over and prevent a potential head-on collision.
The vehicle involved appears to be a Tesla, a detail that quickly drew attention and commentary online. Fortunately, the officer's actions ended without any reported serious injuries. Authorities have not released additional details about the driver's condition or whether any citations or charges were filed.
"A single impaired, distracted, or confused driver traveling in the wrong direction can put countless innocent lives at immediate risk," the post accompanying the footage warned. The post also praised Officer Anuszkiewicz: "We want to recognize Officer Steven Anuszkiewicz for his courageous and decisive actions in safely stopping a wrong-way driver on Route 7. His quick thinking and commitment to protecting the public prevented what could have been a devastating tragedy."
Viewers reacting to the video mixed relief and curiosity with skepticism. Many commenters seized on the car's make—joking that a "smart" car doesn't guarantee a smart driver—while others suggested that temporary road barrels visible in the footage may have partially encroached into the travel lane and contributed to driver confusion. Several people also wondered whether modern driver-assistance technology could or should detect and prevent wrong-way driving.
While the footage highlights a close call avoided thanks to quick police action, it also raises unanswered questions about what led the driver to be traveling the wrong way and what happened after the stop. No follow-up details have been published.
What to Watch For: The video shows how rapidly a wrong-way situation can become deadly on a highway and underscores the danger of distracted or impaired driving. It also demonstrates the risks law enforcement sometimes takes to protect the public.
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