BOSTON —Two Boston cops were dragged 100 yards while conducting a traffic stop in Mattapan Sunday night, police said.
At about 7:05 PM on Sunday, November 8, 2015, officers from District B-3 (Mattapan) attempted to conduct a motor vehicle stop in the area of Blue Hill Avenue and Stratton Street.
While on patrol in the above area, officers observed a vehicle operating erratically on Blue Hill Avenue. Officers observed the vehicle swerving from lane to lane without signaling and operating at a high rate of speed.
When officers activated the blue lights and sirens on their unmarked cruiser, the vehicle slowed and appeared as if it would stop, but then continued on for a considerable distance at about 5 miles per hour.
When the vehicle finally came to a stop, officers approached and observed that the vehicle was still in gear. The officers requested the operator to place the vehicle in park and remove the keys from the ignition, but the operator adamantly refused.
Fearing the operator’s reckless driving was a danger to other citizens in the area, officers attempted to secure the driver and the vehicle when the operator stepped on the gas, dragging both officers with the vehicle.
The Boston Police officers were dragged for about 100 yards before the vehicle crashed into a parked car. The operator and his passenger fled the vehicle, and the officers pursued on foot, quickly catching up to the operator.
After a violent struggle, the operator was handcuffed and placed into custody.
Both officers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to Brigham and Women’s Hospital. The officers were evaluated and have since been released from the hospital.
Forty-five-year-old Bryant L. Gilbert of Dorchester was arrested and charged with several violations of the auto laws, Failure to Submit to a Police Officer, Assault and Battery by Means of a Dangerous Weapon on a Police Officer, Negligent Operation of a Motor Vehicle (2nd and Subsequent Offense), Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident with Personal Injury, Leaving the Scene of a Motor Vehicle Accident with Property Damage (2 counts), and Resisting Arrest. –BPD
