A dashcam video showing an Ohio police officer being dragged at high speed for a mile down a city street by a suspect fleeing from a traffic stop is stark evidence of the dangers faced by law enforcement, a spokesman for the Ohio State Highway Patrol has said.
The video released by the Highway Patrol on Friday apparently shows 22-year-old Jamel Robert Patton stopping momentarily during the chase in Youngstown, allowing Trooper Michael Miller to safely let go of the car.
Mr Miller is seen in the 90-second video yelling at Trooper Ray Ellis, who'd pursued Patton and Miller, “You've got to go after him!”
Mr Ellis arrived at the traffic stop after Mr Miller sought backup to remove an allegedly uncooperative Mr Patton from his car. Mr Miller had stopped Mr Patton around 11.30pm for driving without headlights.
Miller was treated at a Youngstown hospital for minor injuries to his back and shoulder. Patrol spokesman Lt Robert Sellers said it's a “miracle” that Mr Miller wasn't badly injured. Mr Sellers didn't know how fast Patton was driving, but said it was well above the 35-mph speed limit.
“Every traffic stop is different, and you never know when you stop a car what could potentially happen,” Mr Sellers said. “This shows the dangers that police officers face every day.”
Youngstown police initially found Mr Patton's car, but not Patton. Mr Sellers said Friday morning an arrest warrant was issued for Mr Patton on felonious assault of a police officer, failure to comply and resisting arrest charges. Mr Patton has since surrendered to the Highway Patrol.
Associated Press
