WRAL's Julian Grace thanks Raleigh police officers for saving his life

In a video posted to his Facebook page, Grace said he was driving home from work around 12:40 a.m. on Jan. 2 when three police officers and a state trooper sped past him on Interstate 440 East.

To his surprise, the officers slowed down to formed a line in front of him and stopped their patrol cars. Raleigh police said officers also received assistance from the North Carolina State Highway Patrol.

Grace narrated the event on social media, explaining, "They formed a steel curtain" in front of him. He said he was frustrated and ready to get home, explaining "I had no idea why we are at a standstill on a three-lane highway with no accident in sight."

In the next moments, Grace saw a white pickup truck headed the wrong way on I-440.

"Those officers positioned right in front of my bumper were the ones in harm's way," Grace described. "Thank you Lord for those men and women in blue who risked their lives for those that will never know their name."

Shannon Casey Wright is one of many who had called 911 for help and told the operator exactly what she saw—that the driver had just passed the Wake Forest Road exit going the wrong way.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes the pickup truck speeding in the left-hand lane,” said Wright.

Another person who called 911 reached out to WRAL News over Facebook saying, "I was one of the drivers that called 911 that night. Heading home from RDU after Christmas vacation. My two kids in the car. Coming around the curve the truck was coming straight at us. By some miracle I swerved into the other lane and didn’t hit anyone. After I got my wits back I call 911. Very scary night. I’m so glad no one was hurt."

Grace said the police officers stopped the wrong-way driver and escorted him out of his truck.

Raleigh police arrested Shawn Robinson of Carrboro and charged him with DWI. Police said dispatchers received several 911 calls about the pickup truck traveling the wrong way on I-440 East.

“We are proud of Officers Halpin, Reyes-Gomez, Hathaway, and Trooper C.J. Stephens of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol for preventing what could have been a devastating incident," the Raleigh Police Department wrote in a statement. "Law enforcement officers risk their lives performing acts of bravery like this every single day but think of it as simply part of their job.

"We are grateful to Julian Grace of WRAL for highlighting this incident and using his reach to thank the officers for their selfless acts of courage publicly.”

On Monday morning, the Raleigh Police Department shared Grace's post on Facebook.

"It is our honor to serve our community every day," the Raleigh Police Department posted on Facebook. "Thanks and appreciation go to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and Officers Halpin, Reyes-Gomez, and Hathaway for risking their lives that night.

"Thank you, Julian Grace."

In a separate Facebook post, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol also said trooper C.J. Stephens assisted the Raleigh police officers in stopping the pickup truck.