Sussex police say driver dragged officer while fleeing traffic stop
Police say officer was trying to arrest 23-year-old when he turned the keys and hit the gas
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Police in Sussex say a 23-year-old being arrested during a traffic stop took off and dragged a police officer about 20 metres alongside his vehicle.
Colton Bernard, 23, of St. George Street in Sussex, was charged Monday with obstruction of a peace officer, assault on a police officer, flight from police and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle dating to April 11, according to court documents.
In a release Wednesday from Sussex RCMP, police say that on April 11, officers responded to a driving complaint at 2 p.m. near Court Street in Sussex.
In a prosecutor’s info sheet, police say that the complaint came from two pedestrians who reported that they were allegedly almost hit by a black Chevrolet Impala that ran a stop sign.
Police were in the area and “were able to respond and quickly locate the vehicle,” and stopped the Impala, driven by a 23-year-old Sussex man, the release said.
In the info sheet, police say the officer attempted to seize an item from inside the vehicle and the driver allegedly stopped him from doing so.
When the officer attempted to arrest the driver and remove him from the car, police say he resisted, started the vehicle and hit the gas.
“The officer was dragged for approximately 15 – 20 meters before letting go … and the driver fled from police,” the release reads. The officer was said to have suffered minor injuries.
At 4 p.m. the next day, the 23-year-old was located and arrested, police say.
Bernard had a bail hearing Monday and was released on conditions, with promises to return to return to court May 13, according to documents.
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