A police officer had a lucky escape after a BMW spined out of control and smashed into a parked car on the hard shoulder of a busy highway.

Dashcam footage shows the police officer performing a traffic stop when an out-of-control BMW careered over the central reservation and crashed into the parked car.

The officer manages to throw himself in between the two vehicles and come out relatively unscathed.

The incident happened on the Fairfax County Parkway, Virginia, USA.

The driver of the parked BMW was taken to hospital with minor injuries and has since been released from care.

Fairfax County Police Department said: "On May 1 around 11:38 a.m., a patrol officer was on a routine traffic stop with a gray 2012 BMW 750 Series on southbound Fairfax County Parkway prior to Braddock Rd.

"The 17-year-old driver of a black 2018 BMW M3 was traveling northbound on Fairfax County Parkway at a high rate of speed and lost control.

"The BMW spun around, crossed the median, striking the community member’s vehicle and then the officer’s vehicle.

"The officer was struck and nearly killed.

"The adult driver in the BMW 750 Series on the traffic stop was taken to the hospital with minor injuries not considered to be life-threatening and has since been released from the hospital.

"The officer sustained minor injuries.

"The juvenile driver of the BMW M3 and the two passengers sustained minor injuries.

"The juvenile was charged with reckless driving.

"We are relieved this crash did not result in a tragedy.

"This is an important reminder that life can change in an instant. It is the driver’s responsibility to drive safely and arrive safely."