A Philadelphia Police officer had a close call early Sunday when authorities say a car the officer pulled over took off, dragging the officer and prompting a police chase through the city.
Police said the officer and his partner pulled over the suspect's car near 60th Street and Lancaster Avenue in Overbrook about 2 a.m. after they saw the car, a 2008 Infiniti, traveling near 52nd and Lancaster without headlights. Police said when the officers approached the car, they could smell alcohol on the driver and inside the car, and see that the man's eyes were bloodshot.
The driver then, without warning, shifted into gear and accelerated, according to police. He struck one of the officers and knocked him off-balance, so the officer grabbed inside the car to avoid falling and being run over by it. The driver then kept driving at a high speed on Lancaster Avenue, dragging the officer alongside the car, police said. The officer eventually let go, falling to the ground and skidding about 20 feet on his side.
The officer was not injured, but his clothing and equipment were damaged. He and his partner put a description of the vehicle out on police radio.
About a half-hour later, another officer spotted the car a short time later on City Avenue near Belmont and trailed it to the Target parking lot along Monument Road. Police said the driver continued to flee, eventually crashing near Ridge Avenue and Kelly Drive.
Police said the man then ran from the car on foot, but officers spotted him on tennis courts off Ridge Avenue. They chased him on foot and eventually caught him, police said. They have not yet revealed his identity or the specific charges against him.
