DECKED & SERVED Shock moment cop smashes driver’s car window and punches him ‘for not having headlights on’

The Sun UK ^ | 07 21 2025 | Annabel Bate

[yesthatjallen]

This is the shocking moment a cop smashes a man's car window before hitting him in the head after he was pulled over "for not having his headlights on".

Footage of the aggressive traffic stop in Jacksonville, Florida, has gone viral on social media.

The video was posted to Instagram by @904will, who wrote he was pulled over in February over his car's headlights - despite there being "no rain, smoke or fog".

Footage shows the driver questioning an officer - who is out of shot - on why he was pulled over.

The driver can be heard saying: "There's no rain."

A cop responds: "It doesn't matter - you're still required to have headlights on."

The driver then asks to see the law, before the officer says they'll show it to him once he agrees to step out of the car.

He then asks for "a supervisor" - but, as written in the post's caption, "things escalated quickly".

The cop shown on camera, standing beside the driver's door, is seen shattering the window using his fist.

The policeman is heard shouting at the startled driver: "Exit the vehicle now".

SNIP

[yesthatjallen]

Video at link.

[Georgia Girl 2]

😮

[G Larry]

Pretty sure the cops overstepped in this one.

[Bullish]

You mean that’s not in the textbook?

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Ok, is the police officer saying what he pulled him over for?

And is that actually the law in Florida?

Because in most of the US you are not required to have your headlights on except in dim light conditions and that looks like daylight.

[MuttTheHoople]

Who are we to judge?

[No name given]

Obviously!

[oldplayer]

I’m guessing there is more to the story. This wasn’t a routine stop or there wouldn’t be additional cops there to simply give a ticket. These additional cops are “backup” because they suspect something nefarious about this driver. Interesting he does not follow orders except to show his hands.

I suggest the driver take the video tutorial offered by Chris Rock.

[SkyDancer]

It’s the UK, duzzin matta ...(Aussie slang)

[citizen]

Jax, FL

[SkyDancer]

Ok, saw the link saying it was The Sun, a UK paper so naturally I jumped to conclusions.

[gundog]

Rain, too, in some jurisdictions.

[fso301]

Doesn't look dark, rainy, foggy, or smokey.

I can't imagine why headlights would need to be on.

[gundog]

Challenging the cop’s probable cause seems reasonable. ‘Roid rage, plus negro fatigue may add up to a big payday for homeboy.

[A strike]

All of us at FreeRepublic support Law Enforcement, however we oppose Dirty LEO such as this.
Dirty thugs acting under under of color of law should be proscuted and imprisoned!!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

Rain falls under dim light conditions.

Most American cars do not have "always on" headlights like the ones in Europe do. Maybe the new ones do but the pre 2010 ones did not.

So I am just wondering if the reason the driver gave for his being stopped is the same one the police officer gave for the stop.

Not really important I guess. Just one of those odd details that nag at me.

[ridesthemiles]

THERE ARE MULTIPLE AREAS WITHIN 20 MILES OF ME HERE IN RURAL N NEVADA THAT HAVE “HEADLIGHTS REQUIRED” EVEN IN GOOD CONDITIONS & BROAD DAYLIGHT.

[pnz1]

Does article mention guy had drugs and was armed with a knife?

[gundog]

Yeah, homey may be up to something, lying about why the popo pulled him over. Rain can come on fast, and heavy in parts of Florida. So bad that I’d likely pull over ‘til it passes. But, if you get pulled over and the cop says it’s raining when it clearly isn’t, there’s a problem.

In Oregon, if your windshield wipers are on, your headlights are supposed to be, as well.

[Dr. Sivana]

Maybe the new ones do but the pre 2010 ones did not.

My stupid 2004 Chevy Venture has those #%@$# Daytime Running Lights. I hate them.

My wife's 2018 Toyota Avalon has them available, but they can be turned off ... best of both worlds.

When I am in Canada, it looks like all of the cars are heading for a funeral burial.