Dashcam Shows Intense Shootout Between Troopers And Suspect

Pennsylvania State Police have released intense dashcam video capturing the violent encounter on Route 33 in 2017 that left Trooper Seth Kelly critically wounded. The incident, which unfolded on November 7, involved a traffic stop in Plainfield Township, Northampton County, and ended in a shootout with the suspect, Daniel Clary, who has since been convicted of attempted murder.

The confrontation began when State Trooper Ryan Seiple initiated what appeared to be a routine traffic stop. Clary, then 22 years old and from Effort, Pennsylvania, was pulled over for speeding. Dashcam footage shows the initial interaction to be calm, with Trooper Seiple issuing Clary a speeding ticket. As Seiple began to leave, Clary flagged him down again, prompting Seiple to call for backup.

Trooper Seth Kelly arrived on scene, and the officers proceeded to conduct a field sobriety test. The video shows Clary struggling to maintain balance during the test, appearing unsteady and impaired. As the troopers attempted to take him into custody, Clary suddenly became combative.

A physical altercation ensued, with both troopers wrestling Clary to the ground. The struggle was prolonged and violent, spilling out onto the busy highway shoulder as cars sped past. At one point, Troopers Seiple and Kelly attempted to use a Taser to subdue Clary, but it was ineffective.

Despite their efforts, Clary managed to break free and move toward his vehicle. The dashcam footage captures the critical moment when Clary reached into the driver’s side window, pulled out a firearm, and opened fire on both troopers. A rapid exchange of gunfire followed. Troopers Kelly and Seiple returned fire while taking cover, but not before Kelly was struck four times.

Clary then got into his vehicle and fled the scene, leaving both officers behind. Trooper Kelly was critically injured in the gunfight. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where he arrived clinically dead. Doctors placed him in a medically-induced coma for 12 days, and he remained hospitalized for a total of 25 days. Remarkably, he survived, although he has no memory of the shootout.

During the investigation and subsequent trial, District Attorney John Morganelli and lead prosecutor Terence Houck presented the full 45-minute dashcam recording to jurors. The footage included the initial stop, sobriety testing, the violent struggle, and the aftermath of the shooting. Houck acknowledged that he could have opted not to release the video to the public but felt it was important to highlight the dangers police officers face daily and to show the restraint demonstrated by Troopers Seiple and Kelly before being forced to use deadly force.

“We think the community should see it,” Houck stated during the release. “The public needs to understand just how quickly a situation can escalate and how dangerous police work truly is.”

Clary was later apprehended and brought to trial. On June 29, 2018, he was convicted on numerous felony charges, including two counts of attempted murder for shooting at Troopers Seiple and Kelly. His defense attorney argued that Clary feared for his life and acted out of panic, but the jury was not swayed by this claim. Clary’s sentencing was scheduled for August 31.

The case drew widespread attention across Pennsylvania, particularly for the bravery and resilience shown by Trooper Kelly in the face of near-death. His recovery was hailed as miraculous by his colleagues and medical team. The Pennsylvania State Police emphasized that while the release of such graphic footage is rare, it serves to reinforce the harsh realities of law enforcement and the split-second decisions officers must sometimes make under extreme stress.

The video remains part of the department’s training and public awareness efforts, illustrating both the unpredictability of seemingly routine traffic stops and the profound risks carried by those in uniform.