Tesla drags Philadelphia police officer 200 feet in traffic stop
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Police say they've found the Tesla involved in a traffic stop where a Philadelphia highway patrol officer was dragged 200 feet.
The officer was injured after they were dragged while hanging onto the vehicle during a traffic stop Monday night, police said.
The incident happened on East Cheltenham Avenue near Charles Street, on the border of the city's Frankford and Wissinoming neighborhoods, around 9:40 p.m.
Authorities said the officer was performing a traffic stop when they spotted a handgun on the floor of the vehicle. When the officer went to grab the gun, police say the driver pulled off and dragged the officer.
"The driver of the vehicle went in reverse, reversed suddenly, dragging a highway patrol officer about 100 feet in reverse," Philadelphia police Chief Inspector Scott Small said. "The officer was still holding on to the vehicle, holding on for his life, and that's when the operator put the vehicle in drive and then drug the same officer 100 feet forward," Small added.
Once the vehicle accelerated back to the intersection of Cheltenham Avenue and Charles Street, the driver kicked the officer and he landed on the street, Small said.
Police said the officer was struck by a grey or silver Tesla that fled the scene. The car has a Pennsylvania license plate with the driver's side headlight out, according to police. The license plate number is LZQ0052.
Authorities said the Tesla was last seen heading eastbound on Cheltenham Avenue.
The officer suffered bruised ribs and a possible broken leg, police said. He has since been released from Jefferson Torresdale Hospital.
It's unclear why the suspect was wanted, but police said a gun was spotted on the floor of the car.