A Florida police officer was dragged along a road after trying to stop a man who was suspected of taking drugs from driving.
Officer Jon Cusack, from Pembroke Pines Police Department, held onto the door motorist Thomas Cabrera’s, 38, car.
Cabrera, of Century Village, Florida, then tore away from the officer who was holding onto his Honda, dragging him along the road at speeds of 60mph according to police.
Cabrera did not stop – despite Cusack’s shouting.
Police have charged the man driving with attempted murder.
Police pursued the suspect in a chase which went on for 20 miles and involved multiple police forces and a helicopter, before he was eventually caught on the Interstate 595.
The Honda reached speeds of 105mph, according to police.
Drug paraphernalia was found in the car.
Pembroke Pines Police Captain Al Xiques said: ‘The irony is that officers all the time respond to save the life of a perfect stranger.
‘The outcome was that the officer almost ended up losing his life,’ reports the Sun Sentinel.
In hospital: Officer Cusack was dragged along a road at 60mph after trying to stop Thomas Cabrera, 38, from speeding off
‘The outcome was that the officer almost ended up losing his life’: Police say Officer Cusack was afraid to let go of the car as he could have been run over by the rear wheels of the Honda
He added that the officer had been checking on the man and a female passenger, who were considered an overdose risk.
Cusack was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital and was waiting for surgery last night. His injuries were not supposed to be life threatening.
Pembroke Pines Police Department said on their Facebook page: ‘Officer Cusack is a former training officer within our Training Unit, and a former member of our Field Force Team.
Thomas Cabrera has been charged with attempted murder. He admitted taking cocaine and heroin shortly before the incident
Cabrera has now been charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, driving with a suspended license and reckless driving.
Police pursued the suspect in a chase which went on for 20 miles, before he was eventually caught on the Interstate 595.
In response to a comment which said the charge of attempted murder was too severe, the police department replied: ‘The officer tried to prevent a visibly impaired driver from driving out into the community, and the car quickly accelerated to a speed where it was unsafe for the officer to release himself from the vehicle for fear that he would go under the rear tires.
‘The suspect attempted to pry the officers hands from off the car door, and intentionally dragged him 0.6 miles at speeds of 60mph.
‘That is why it is attempted murder.’
Cabrera confessed to using heroin and cocaine before dragging Officer Cusack with his car. He also admitted trying to remove the officer’s hands from the car door.
Dangerous: The shocking footage shows the officer hanging out of the car
The police officer was taken to Memorial Regional Hospital where he was awaiting surgery last night
Police then began a high speed chase, where the Honda reportedly reached 105mph, with a police helicopter and multiple police forces involved
People commenting online were shocked and wished Cusack a speedy recovery.
Eddie Dominguez offered his support to the police force: ‘Thank God he’s alive Pembroke Pines Police is the best agency in Broward County I will support our guy/gals in blue, Officer Cusack speedy recovery God bless you.’
Louise Woyce Jaffe added: ‘Please keep us updated. I hope he has a quick and complete recovery. So sorry this happened to you. Thank God you will be OK.’
Cabrera has been charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, fleeing and eluding, driving with a suspended license and reckless driving.
The investigation continues.