Heads up behavior from a couple of Douglas County Sheriff deputies is being credited for averting what could have been a catastrophe involving unknowing pedestrians and a fleeing stolen vehicle.

At around noon Sunday, in the Highlands Ranch Parkway and University Boulevard King Soopers parking lot, officers located a stolen vehicle and then noticed two people get into the SUV, according to a news release. When one of the deputies turned on his flashing lights, the driver reversed the vehicle at “a high rate of speed” in the busy lot and sped backward toward strolling pedestrians.

Another deputy drove into the fleeing vehicle’s path, and took the brunt of the crash, saving the terrified shoppers. Police body-worn camera and dash camera video captured the incident.

The driver, Joseph Blodgett, 29, of Denver, faces charges of reckless endangerment, motor vehicle theft, eluding, shoplifting, drug possession, and driving without a valid license.

The passenger, 39-year-old Amanda Conklin, of Littleton, had a stolen Colorado Driver’s license. She faces charges related to motor vehicle theft, identity theft, and criminal possession of an ID document.

Sheriffs did not have a chance to interview the shoppers, who reportedly ran away screaming.

“They are victims and we’d love to interview them,” said Douglas County Sheriff spokesperson Deborah Takahara.

If readers have any information, sheriffs are asking them to send an email to Lt. Christopher O’Neal at: [email protected].