ORLANDO, Fla. — An Orlando police officer injured after being dragged through the street by a driver allegedly fleeing a traffic stop is recovering from minor injuries sustained during the incident, investigators said Wednesday.
According to information from the Orlando Police Department, a downtown bike officer was conducting a traffic stop in the 100 block of North Orange Avenue at about 11:30 a.m.
"The driver was out of the vehicle and refused to cooperate with the stop," the department said in a statement. "A struggle ensued, which led the driver and officer back to the driver's door area of the vehicle. The driver was able to flee in the vehicle and dragged the officer."
During the incident, investigators say the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a nearby tree "with the officer still attached."
Officers who responded to the scene engaged in a foot chase with the alleged driver, and he was apprehended a short time later, the OPD statement said.
The officer and suspect — who were not identified — were taken to area hospitals for treatment of minor injuries.
Orange Avenue was briefly shut down during the incident, but has since reopened.