Eureka Times-Standard
EUREKA, Calif. — A Eureka Police officer was dragged along the road for about a block Wednesday night after attempting to stop an allegedly drunken driver for a lighting issue on his vehicle.
Officers stopped 24-year-old Ross Emery Olson at about 11:35 p.m. for a lighting violation at Fourth and L streets in Eureka. Olson was allegedly driving his white Toyota pickup about 5 mph over the speed limit until yielding in front of Bob Crivello’s Used Cars, according to the Eureka Police Department.
Olson was allegedly uncooperative and admitted to having consumed alcohol earlier in the evening. According to the report, Olson would not exit his vehicle as the officer requested. A second officer then approached the vehicle and grabbed the top of the window to prevent Olson from closing it, as it appeared he was about to drive away. The window shattered and the second officer reached into the vehicle to stop Olson, who allegedly then drove off, dragging the officer who was half way in the vehicle for about a block. The vehicle was going at least 30 mph when the officer fell out onto the road, according to the press release.
The ensuing pursuit sent officers to the 7100 block of London Drive on Humboldt Hill after a low-speed chase. Olson allegedly drove into his own driveway, jumped out of the vehicle and attempted to run inside his house. His front door was locked and two EPD officers who had been pursuing the vehicle confronted him.
Olson was allegedly aggressive and attempted to punch the officers, who deployed a TASER against him. He was eventually taken into custody and booked into Humboldt County jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on an officer, felony evading, driving under the influence and other charges, according to the press release.
The officer who was caught half way in the vehicle was treated at a hospital for road rash injuries to his arms and legs and later released. He is expected to make a full recovery, according to the press release. EPD would not release the officer’s name for privacy reasons.
Copyright 2010 Eureka Times-Standard