VIDEO: Nassau County Police Officer Dragged During Traffic Stop
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - A driver is facing multiple charges after Nassau County police said he first dragged an officer during a routine traffic stop.
Dwayne Henderson, 21, was stopped by police Sunday shortly before 5:30 p.m. at 567 Greenwich St. near a Gulf station in Hempstead.
Shocking surveillance video shows the stop go horribly awry. Nassau County Police say they stopped Henderson for speeding and discovered he had a suspended license.
The asked him repeatedly to get out of the vehicle, police said.
After officers approached the vehicle, police say Henderson stepped on the gas and took off, dragging an officer on the passenger side onto the street for 60-75 feet and running over his leg. The officer suffered lacerations to both knees and elbows along with bruising to his right knee.
"We're lucky that we're not planning a funeral right now for this police officer," said Det. Lt. Richard LeBrun of the Nassau County Police.
Henderson left the officer he dragged laying on the pavement just outside the gas station in front of stunned employees.
"He tried to kill the cop," one man told Rapoport.
The officer was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment and released.
"He has deep tissue damage, possible ligament damage and heavy bruising to his right leg," LeBrun said.
Henderson was later arrested in Uniondale by officers who say he struggled violently. Police reports also say a "clear bag with a substance that appeared to be crack cocaine" was recovered.
Police describe Henderson as a violent felon with previous arrests for burglary and robbery. He was out on parole at the time of the incident.
Henderson is charged with assault, reckless endangerment, criminal possession of a controlled substance, resisting arrest and unlawful fleeing of a police officer. He was arraigned Monday with a next court date set for May 16.