Man charged with attempted murder after officer dragged by car
Posted August 25, 2011 6:23 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
An 18-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a police officer was hit and dragged by a car during a traffic stop early Thursday near Pharmacy and Danforth avenues, authorities say.
The incident happened just after midnight when the officer approached the suspect in a car in the parking lot of an apartment building at 283 Pharmacy Ave.
The vehicle allegedly accelerated in reverse, pinning the officer under the door.
The officer was dragged about 75 metres, police said.
The suspect vehicle continued to reverse and eventually flipped on the grass beside the lot.
“He put the car in reverse and came down in a crazy speed,” a witness who didn’t want to be named, told CityNews. “He was saying, ‘Sorry sir, sorry sir, I didn’t mean to.'”
Police claim the driver tried to flee the scene on foot. He was arrested shortly after.
“Right when I heard the crash happen I knew it was a big thing,” the witness added. “And that’s when I saw the cops going after him…yelling screaming, swearing.”
The officer, who was investigating the car for an improper plate, suffered minor lacerations to his arm and injured his ankle. He was released from hospital later Thursday morning.
The alleged incident Thursday was reminiscent of another traffic stop that claimed the life of York Regional Police Const. Garrett Styles. He was killed June 28 during a routine traffic stop in East Gwillimbury. Police allege the 15-year-old boy behind the wheel of a minivan suddenly accelerated, dragging Styles 300 metres.
Stephan Cummings has been charged with attempted murder, dangerous operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm, failing to stop for police and failing to comply with bail conditions.
He appeared in court Thursday morning in a wheelchair. He’ll be back before a judge on August 30.
