Video footage captured a woman suffering a mental health crisis driving off with a Missouri police car and crashing it into a tree.
The incident happened Sunday when North County Police Cooperative officers responded to a call about a mental health and substance abuse call in Vinita Park, KMOV-TV reports. In an attempt at de-escalation, two officers were talking to a woman in crisis when she bolted and quickly jumped into an unlock cruiser.
“Making a buttonhook for the car is something that neither one of us anticipated," Officer Tony Moutray told the news outlet. “My pride is a little bruised. I hate to see the department lose a car, but as far as embarrassment goes, no, I hope people can watch the video and learn any way they can with it.”
No one was severely injured in the incident, which was recorded by police body cameras and a bystander. No charges have been filed against the woman, and police were still waiting for a psychiatric evaluation.
“She was not a threat," Officer Mike Kortkamp told KMOV. "There’s no point for me to tase her, rough-house her. She wasn’t fighting with me so I didn’t really need to take it to that level. You can de-escalate yourself as long as they’re not a threat to others.”
The police vehicle had been new, but it was likely totaled in the crash.
