PEMBROKE PINES, FL (CNN) – A Florida man faces murder charges after dragging a police officer with his vehicle for about a half-mile.
While Officer Jon Cusack with the Pembroke Pines Police Department was investigating a drug-related incident Tuesday at a retirement community, he reached inside the suspect’s car.
The suspect and driver, Thomas Cabrera, then hit the gas pedal as Cusack held on for his life.
Police say Cabrera drove at a high rate of speed and dragged Cusack for over half a mile while the officer was clinging to the car to avoid being run over.
Cabrera also attempted to crash into a Fire-Rescue vehicle that was approaching the scene in an effort to dislodge Cusack from the car, according to police.
When the suspect slowed down to exit the retirement community, Cusack let go of the vehicle and rolled away from its tires.
Authorities say Cusack has “significant road rash injuries” on his arms and legs but is expected to make a full recovery.
After Cusack let go of the car, Cabrera led police on a 20-mile chase before he was blocked by traffic and taken into custody. He confessed to taking cocaine and heroin shortly before the incident.
Cabrera is charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, felony fleeing and eluding and reckless driving, among others.
Copyright 2017 CNN. All rights reserved. Raycom News Network contributed to this report.
