Speeding driver sideswipes an Indian River County deputy's K9 vehicle
By: -----
Indian River County, FL - A sheriff’s deputy and his K-9 partner narrowly avoided serious injury early Wednesday morning after a speeding driver crashed into their patrol vehicle, according to the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office.
K-9 Deputy Williams and his partner, K-9 Remy, were on patrol along 43rd Avenue when a silver SUV traveling northbound at an estimated 100 miles per hour lost control while navigating a curve. Authorities said the vehicle slammed into the rear driver’s side of the deputy’s patrol car before continuing off the roadway and crashing into a tree line.
Body camera footage captured the moments immediately following the crash, showing deputies checking on one another and those involved.
“Hey, are you good?” one deputy asked.
“Yeah, we’re good,” came the response.
Deputies then turned their attention to the driver. “Hey, are you okay? Is there anybody else in the car?” one asked.
“Yes, sir,” the driver responded when asked if he was okay, later confirming there was no one else inside the vehicle. “I’m getting in trouble.”
As deputies assessed the situation, one asked again, “And everybody in the car is okay?” The driver replied, “Mm-hmm.”
The footage also shows deputies assisting and ensuring safety at the scene. “Ready? One, two, three,” an officer said while helping manage the situation.
In the aftermath, deputies continued checking for injuries. “He’s gonna search you or pat you down real quick. I’m glad you’re okay, buddy. That’s all that matters here,” one deputy is heard saying. “Didn’t smack your head on nothing or anything?”
“No, just my knee a little bit, but it’s fine,” the deputy replied.
Deputy Williams described the moment of impact in the footage. “Yeah, I was actually trying to avoid him, but he smacked me,” he said, adding that the vehicle appeared to sideswipe his patrol unit.
The driver, identified as Oliver Gachelin, was taken into custody at the scene and charged with driving without a valid driver’s license.
Deputy Williams sustained minor injuries, officials said, while K-9 Remy was uninjured. Both have since returned to duty.
The sheriff’s office described the crash as a close call, noting the dangers deputies face on a daily basis. Officials said the outcome could have been far worse if the collision had been head-on.