St. Joseph, Missouri – Dashcam footage released on October 22, 2025, by the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Troop H captures a startling encounter on a quiet rural road.

Under a bright autumn sky, a patrol SUV cruised along an empty two-lane highway when a massive round hay bale, roughly 5–6 feet in diameter, blocked the lane. Traffic was nonexistent, but the obstacle posed an immediate hazard.

Trooper Brad Maudlin, in full uniform, exited the vehicle and confronted the 800–1,000-pound bale. With grunts of effort, he heaved, rolled, and shoved it toward the grassy shoulder. Boots dug into the gravel as the stubborn bale resisted, but Maudlin persisted. Within seconds, the hay bale was safely removed from the road.

The dashcam captures the full effort, showing the trooper straightening up and adjusting his gear before returning to his SUV. The post, humorously titled “Trooper Brad Maudlin vs. The Great Hay Bale Escape,” underscores the unpredictable nature of patrol work.

No injuries occurred, and the highway was cleared quickly, highlighting the often unseen challenges troopers face in keeping Missouri travelers safe.

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