A South Gwinnett High School student is lucky she wasn't seriously injured after literally running into a police car at the busy intersection of Wisteria Drive and Hwy 78 in Snellville.

Dash-cam video from the patrol car shows the teen darting through several lanes of traffic after apparently leaving a nearby fast food restaurant Thursday afternoon. 

The patrol car, driven by Snellville Police Officer Scott Hermel, was turning right onto Wisteria from Hwy 78 at the time.

"It was clear it was just such a shock from the video that it was just at the last second; but he did a very good job with a quick reaction to turn to the right which probably prevented the injury from being serious," says Police Chief Roy Whitehead.

He tells WSB's Sandra Parrish the 15-year-old girl luckily only suffered bruises. 

She is expected to face charges of jaywalking--a common problem, according to Whitehead, with the students at the high school which is located across the street.

"We've sent information to the school; they've put out information asking the kids not to do it, but they all believe they're invincible and can do what they want," he says.

Whitehead says, while there are not crosswalk lines on that side of the intersection, state law mandates that is where crossing is to occur.

He says plans are currently underway to improve the safety of the intersection including lined crosswalks at all four sides as well as upgraded crossing signals.  Those improvements should be in place by the time school begins in the fall.