PHOENIX — Arizona Department of Public Safety officials have released a video showing the moment its troopers intentionally crashed into a wrong-way driver last week.
DPS says just before 2 a.m. on May 11, a wrong-way driver got onto State Route 51 in Phoenix driving southbound in the northbound lanes.
The driver, an 82-year-old woman who was believed to be confused, allegedly drove the wrong way on the highway for about five miles.
Dashcam video was released Wednesday by DPS, showing the moment when troopers stopped the wrong-way driver by intentionally crashing into the vehicle head-on near Glendale Avenue.
Watch the full video shared by DPS in the player above.
"We didn't question if we were going to stop it," said Trooper Estevan Dibene. "It was a matter of, okay we need to get there."
Fortunately, the driver appeared to be traveling at a low speed when the collision occurred and no major injuries were reported.
The troopers suffered minor injuries and were treated at a hospital, and the wrong-way driver also suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
Dibene said he hoped that the crash wouldn't be a bad one, as he has a wife, son and another baby on the way.
"We know if we don't take that risk on that one person, we know that any unknowing motorists behind us is going to end up taking that risk," said Dibene.
In the dash cam video, Dibene is seen shaking hands and embracing another trooper after the car is stopped.
"That was a 'we're alive' hug, and we get to go home tonight," said Dibene. "I get emotional saying it, that I get to see my boy again."
The troopers were able to stop the woman before she was able to hit anything else, but Dibene knows that isn't always the case.
"I was one of the first people on the scene for the tragic incident where three GCU students were killed on a wrong way on I-17 north of Phoenix," said Dibene. "That's why my heart is already aching because I'm worried about what could happen, but that's one of the driving force to prevent this one."
RELATED: Three GCU students killed in wrong-way crash near I-17 and Table Mesa Road
The Governor's Office of Highway Safety told ABC15 last year they tracked 1,800 wrong-way driving incidents across the state.
So, far this year there have been over 630.
The number is high, but not all those incidents end in a crash.
Trooper Dibene is hoping by speaking, he can help at least prevent those caused by people getting behind the wheel intoxicated.
"The risk is not worth your own life," said Dibene.
DPS says impairment was not a factor in the crash. There is no indication that the driver will face any charges at this time.
