LAKE WALES, Fla. — A Lake Wales police officer and his K-9 partner, Bolo, are recovering at home after being dragged and struck by a vehicle during a traffic stop, FOX13 reported.
Authorities say the suspect was pulled over after allegedly driving 30 miles per hour over the speed limit. Officers determined he was also driving without a license. When an officer attempted to place him under arrest, the suspect resisted, leading to a violent struggle.
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Body camera and gas station surveillance video released by the Lake Wales Police Department shows the moment the officer and K-9 Bolo became entangled with the car. As the suspect tried to flee, the vehicle dragged both the officer and the K-9, pulling them to the ground before striking them.
During the chaos, the officer could be heard alerting fellow officers over the radio.
“He’s going to run,” the officer said.
After the incident, another officer arrived and asked, “You alright? Where do you hurt?”
The injured officer responded, “Yeah, everywhere.”
Shortly after the incident, officers located the suspect where he then attempted to flee on foot and climbed over a barbed wire fence. He fell and suffered a severe leg injury. He was taken to a hospital for treatment and then booked into jail.
The suspect now faces several charges, including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, injuring a police K-9 and driving with a suspended license.
Despite the violent encounter, both the officer and K-9 Bolo sustained only bruises and scratches and were able to drive themselves to be medically evaluated. Both are now recovering at home.
