AndrewBlakePembroke Pines, FL – A Pembroke Pines police officer responded to a call for a possible overdose, and ended up getting dragged by a car traveling 60 MPH for half a mile.
The incident was captured on video (video below.)
The incident happened Tuesday morning at around 8:35 a.m. when Century Village security found a man and a woman passed out in a car at 1110 SW 125 Avenue, according to Pembroke Pines Police Department.
Security saw what appeared to be narcotics in the vehicle, and fearing an overdose, they called the police.
Officer Jon Cusack responded and woke up the male driver, later identified as Thomas Cabrera.
Cabrera placed the car into drive, and Officer Cusack reached into the vehicle to stop him, fearing that Cabrera was driving while high on drugs and would kill somebody.
Cabrera quickly accelerated to 60 MPH, dragging Officer Cusack, who was holding on for his life.
A Fire-Rescue crew was responding to the possible overdose, and Cabrera swerved toward the oncoming Fire-Rescue truck so that it would strike Officer Cusack. Thankfully, the driver of the fire truck swerved to avoid striking the officer.
The suspect finally slowed his speed as he approached the Century Village exit, and Officer Cusack decided that it was the safest opportunity he had to escape, and he let go of the vehicle, which sent him tumbling to the roadway.
The officer was picked up and treated by the responding Fire-Rescue crew as other officers took up pursuit of the suspect.
The pursuit reached speeds of 100 MPH as the driver used heroin during the pursuit. He was eventually taken into custody after encountering heavy traffic.
Officer Cusack suffered road rash over much of his body and the soles of his boots were completely burned off. Police said he is expected to make a full recovery.
“He’s doing very, very good — good spirits. His wife and three kids are there, so he’s in good spirits,” Broward Police Benevolent Association president Jeff Marano told WPLG-TV. “They have a trip planned to go to Disney this weekend and he’s still going to go.”
Cabrera is facing a charge of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer. His female passenger was not charged.
Watch the video here: