Wis. officer jumps into suspect's moving car to avoid getting hit

GREENFIELD, Wis. (WLS) -- Police dashcam video recorded a crash that nearly killed an officer in Greenfield, Wisconsin.

The officer was questioning the driver through the passenger-side door after smelling marijuana.

The driver suddenly threw the vehicle in reverse, crashed into the squad car behind it and peeled off.

The quick-thinking officer jumped into the car to avoid being run over. In the front passenger seat, he battled with the unarmed driver to try to gain control.

The car crashed seconds later, still in the parking lot. The driver was arrested.

The officer suffered leg and head injuries, but was not seriously hurt.

Greenfield Police Chief Brad Wentlandt said if the officer was not able to regain control of the vehicle, he may have had to resort to deadly force.