In a scene straight out of an action movie, Berlin police officers found themselves in a wildly unpredictable situation after discovering a man passed out behind the wheel of a running SUV—only for him to jolt awake and launch a chaotic escape that’s now circulating widely online.
A Routine Check Turns Explosive
Police were responding to reports of a vehicle sitting oddly at an intersection late at night. When officers approached, they found the SUV idling, gear engaged, and the driver slumped unconscious, foot still on the brake. Fearing a medical emergency, officers attempted to wake him. When he didn’t respond, they made the call to break into the vehicle to keep the situation from turning deadly.
But the moment the driver snapped awake, everything changed.
The Instant Everything Went Wrong
Instead of cooperating, the man suddenly threw the SUV into motion. Officers shouted for him to stop, but he hit the accelerator—slamming into one police cruiser, then jerking forward and crashing into another. The officers barely had seconds to move out of the way before the vehicle peeled off, tires screeching as it shot down the roadway.
Body-cam footage shows the moment the man awakens in confusion, looks around at the officers trying to help him, and then violently reverses—turning a possible overdose check into a full-blown escape.
A Dangerous Chase Across Town
Police attempted to pursue the driver, but he sped off at high speed, weaving through traffic and vanishing before they could catch him. The shock of the encounter left officers stunned—what began as an attempt to save a man’s life ended with them diving out of the path of a runaway SUV.
Why the Story Has Gone Viral
This incident has exploded across social media for a few reasons:
- The dramatic “wake-up-and-run” moment
Viewers can’t believe how quickly the situation turned from calm to chaotic. - The danger officers faced
The split-second decisions to break the window, pull open the door, and avoid being crushed have sparked intense discussion. - Unpredictability of traffic stops
It’s a stark reminder of how even routine welfare checks can become life-threatening within seconds.
Police Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
Officers say the man’s actions put everyone in the area at extreme risk—himself included. The SUV was later confirmed to be stolen, and police are moving forward with multiple charges as the investigation continues.
The department emphasized that their priority was the driver’s wellbeing, stressing that what unfolded shows how volatile the job can be. From trying to save a possibly overdosing driver to dodging a two-ton vehicle in a matter of moments, the entire encounter has stunned viewers nationwide.
