2025 STOP STICK® Hit of the Year: Nevada Highway Patrol Neutralizes Wrong-Way Driver via Tactical Double-Lane Coverage

2025 Stop Stick® Hit of the Year is Stop Stick®, Ltd’s top honor, awarded to individuals and agencies who have submitted a deployment report after making a successful deployment with Stop Stick, or any one of our Pursuit Prevention Products. Award winners must have previously submitted a deployment report and have earned a nomination or have won Hit of the Month to earn consideration for Hit of the Year.

2025 Stop Stick Hit of the Year – With over 500,000 vehicles equipped across the U.S. and worldwide—and with over 60,000 documented pursuits ending safely—Stop Stick® is law enforcement’s most trusted brand today. We are committed to serving those who serve us by providing training and tools that are proven to be safe, simple to use, and effective. 2025 Stop Stick Hit of the Year:

2025 STOP STICK® Hit of the Year: NHP Trooper’s “Wall of Protection” Neutralizes High-Speed Wrong-Way Threat on I-80

Deployment Stats

• # of Cars Deployed on: 1
• # of Tires Deflated: 2 (L/Front, L/Rear)
• Device: Stop Stick®
• Pursuit Speed: 51-60 mph
• Time of Pursuit: 13 minutes
• Miles Traveled After Deployment: < 1
• Target Vehicle Make: 2022 Chevrolet Traverse
• Deploying Officer(s): Trooper J. Lane

A Grave Threat to the Silver State

In Nevada, the Las Vegas Strip and I-80 often mask a grim reality. Specifically, they hide the rising tide of wrong-way drivers. Consequently, the 2024 statistics tell a sobering story. They show why tools like Stop Stick® are now absolute necessities for public safety.

• Statewide Crisis: The Nevada Highway Patrol reported 731 wrong-way incidents across the state last year.
• The Metro Burden: In Las Vegas alone, Metro Police documented 634 incidents, contributing to a staggering 123 crashes.
• The Human Cost: These incidents resulted in 49 tragic fatalities in a single year, many involving impaired or disoriented drivers on high-speed thoroughfares.

In a state that thrives on tourism and 24-hour activity, the margin for error on the road is zero. In fact, this dangerous environment served as the backdrop for Trooper J. Lane’s call. Ultimately, his decisive actions during this incident earned him the 2025 Stop Stick® Hit of the Year.

The Incident: 13 Minutes of Terror

The pursuit began when a 2022 Chevrolet Traverse traveled the wrong way on Interstate 80. For 13 agonizing minutes, the driver reached 60 mph while weaving against traffic. Furthermore, the suspect dangerously evaded initial attempts to block or redirect the vehicle.

Trooper J. Lane moved into position after recognizing the driver was likely impaired. Specifically, he knew a standard deployment might allow a desperate driver to swerve. Therefore, Trooper Lane opted for a high-level tactical maneuver: The Double Deployment. This choice ensured a successful first pass.

The “Wall of Protection”

Trooper Lane initiated a “traffic break,” coordinating with other responding officers and troopers, successfully slowing and securing the westbound flow of traffic to prevent collateral damage. He then deployed two full sets of Stop Sticks across all lanes of traffic.

By utilizing a dual-set deployment of Stop Sticks®, Trooper Lane effectively engineered a “Wall of Protection” across the asphalt. In fact, this tactical redundancy widened the strike zone to an inescapable margin, stripping the wrong-way driver of any secondary flight paths or evasive maneuvers. Consequently, as the Traverse accelerated toward his position, the driver struck the Stop Sticks head-on. This resulted in the immediate, controlled deflation of both left-side tires and the rapid termination of a high-stakes threat.

Successful Pursuit Termination in Under a Mile

The impact was immediate. While the driver eluded police for 10 miles, the Traverse stopped within one mile. Specifically, the Stop Sticks® caused a controlled deflation. This allowed the vehicle to come to a safe, controlled halt.

Ultimately, the driver was found to be under the influence and taken into custody. Most importantly, the arrest occurred without a single injury to the public, the suspect, or the responding Troopers.

Why It’s Hit of the Year

Stop Stick, Ltd. presents the 2025 Stop Stick® Hit of the Year to an officer. This award recognizes exceptional tactical proficiency and composure under high-pressure conditions. Ultimately, these actions must result in a safe, controlled ending to a pursuit.

Trooper J. Lane earned this recognition through his decisive action on a major interstate, where he utilized a double-set deployment to effectively neutralize a pursuit. Specifically, this maneuver significantly increased the strike zone, ensuring the suspect could not bypass the device. As a result, he brought the dangerous situation to a controlled, safe conclusion. Ultimately, Trooper Lane’s execution serves as a premier example of tactical excellence in pursuit termination.

“In a situation where every second counts and a head-on collision is a near-certainty, Trooper Lane’s actions saved lives,” said the STOP STICK® commendation committee. Furthermore, they noted, “By creating a full-lane barrier, he turned a high-risk pursuit into a controlled stop.”

We at Stop Stick, Ltd. are proud to name Trooper J. Lane of the Nevada Highway Patrol our 2025 Stop Stick® Hit of the Year winner. His dedication to the safety of Nevada’s citizens and visitors alike serves as a benchmark for law enforcement excellence nationwide.