Dashcam footage has surfaced showing a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer deftly maneuvering past a demonstrator in Memphis, Tennessee. The protester seemed to feign injury in front of the patrol vehicle, prompting the agency to refute widespread online allegations that he was actually struck.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol shared this video on social media, capturing the officer’s attempt to navigate through a crowd of protesters. As the scene unfolds, a man emerges from behind a white SUV, appearing to be part of the demonstration.

Dressed in a conspicuous orange construction vest and wielding a handheld radio, the man approached and positioned himself directly in front of the trooper.

In the footage, the officer can be heard urgently shouting, “Move! Get out of my way! Get out of my way! Move!”

The Tennessee Highway Patrol released the dashcam video to clarify the situation, showing the protester grabbing the patrol car and subsequently falling. This footage counters the viral claims that he was hit during the protest in Memphis.

Instead, the protester shook his head and raised his index finger as if signaling the trooper to “hold on.”

The protester then grabbed the patrol vehicle’s push bars and fell backward, appearing to act as if he had been hit by the trooper’s vehicle.

The protester dramatically fell backwards while holding on to the patrol car’s push bar.  (Tennessee Highway Patrol)

He then pulled himself up, raised his index finger at the trooper once more, and walked back to his vehicle.

The video circulated on social media with claims the man was hit by a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper, claims the agency called false.

The protester popped right back up after falling backwards. (Tennessee Highway Patrol)

“We respect and protect the right of people to protest peacefully,” the Tennessee Highway Patrol said. “That right, however, does not include entering active roadways or placing themselves in danger.

“In this case, video clearly shows the individual holding onto the front of the trooper’s vehicle, lying down, then standing back up afterward and leaving the scene under his own power,” the statement continued. “At no point does the video show the individual being run over or injured, despite the narratives circulating on social media.”

The agency added that its priority is public safety for protesters, motorists and troopers.

“When someone enters the roadway, it creates a serious and immediate risk, and troopers are trained to respond to prevent injuries or worse outcomes,” the agency added.