CATAWBA COUNTY, NC – The State Highway Patrol announced Tuesday a state trooper has been placed on administrative duty after a video surfaced online of the trooper speeding down the wrong way of Highway 321 in Newton.

Trooper T.J. Williamson has been placed on administrative duty pending an internal investigation. He’s been employed with the Patrol since August 2016 and is assigned to Troop F, District 5 Highway Patrol in Hickory.

According to the State Highway Patrol, in the video Trooper Williamson was responding to a call for illegal speed racing.

On Sunday, July 16 around 4:20 p.m. State Highway Patrol received information from multiple drivers that a group of sports cars were speeding and running other vehicles off the road on US 321 in Catawba County.

A total of five vehicles were seized and accused of being involved in a pre-arranged speed competition. Seven people were arrested on speed-related charges. Still, many drivers believe there had to have been a better way for the trooper to go after the racers.

Source: http://www.fox46charlotte.com/