Cop stabbed in the neck saves his own life while chasing down suspect from rollover crash

A COP survived being stabbed in the neck after saving his own life while chasing down a suspect from a rollover crash.

The police officer was attacked by a 21-year-old woman in a “completely unprovoked” incident, according to authorities.

Leigha Michelle Day, 21, is facing an attempted murder charge after allegedly stabbing Deputy Cody Colangelo, 22, on March 23.

Colangelo was responding to a call about a rollover crash in St Lucie County, Florida at around 11pm when he located Day walking along the shoreline near where the vehicle was found.

The deputy spoke with Day, encouraging her to walk back up from the shore, authorities said.

Then without warning, Day allegedly stabbed Colangelo with a knife, striking his carotid artery.

Police said Colangelo fired one shot toward Day but missed. He continued to chase her while keeping pressure on his injury.

“Once he got back up to the top of the roadway and he lost sight of Day, he then took a position on the roadway between the homes and potential bystanders,” Chief Deputy Brian Hester said.

“Because he had seen that she went back down the embankment just down from where they were.”

Despite the life-threatening wound, Colangelo was able to radio for additional help.

The entire incident was captured on Colangelo’s body camera.

“To watch one of our deputies who just sustained a life-threatening injury, calmed himself down enough, saved his own life. He saved his own life through his training,” Hester said.

“Stood guard for nearby residents and then directed other deputies where to go. All the while calmly controlling his breathing.”

Colangelo was transported to a nearby hospital where a two-hour surgery was performed.

Doctors replaced part of his injured artery with one from his leg, local media reported.

He was in stable condition and should make a full recovery, his fellow officers said.

Colangelo has been with the St Lucie County Sheriff’s Office since 2020 and his father and brother both worked for the agency.

Day had allegedly been speeding down the road when she lost control of her car, which led to the encounter with Colangelo.

She was located a short time after allegedly stabbing Colangelo and taken into custody.

On March 24, Day was charged with premeditated first-degree attempted murder.

A motive for the stabbing remains unclear.

“She did appear to be under the influence of something,” Hester said.

“We’re awaiting results to figure that out.”