An Asheville, N.C., officer was hurt early Saturday morning when a motorist grabbed her by the arm and dragged her 130 feet along Interstate 240 following a traffic stop, authorities report.
Celso Avila-Aguilar, 31, of Emma Road, was jailed under a $100,000 bond, according to arrest warrants.
The suspect was pulled over for suspicion of driving while impaired, Sgt. Dave Romick told the Asheville Citizen Times.
The suspect was uncooperative and refused instructions to get out of the vehicle.
As police were attempting to remove him from the car, the suspect grabbed officer Ann Fowler’s arm, pinning it to the steering wheel, and took off, dragging her 130 feet, Romick said.
“Officer Fowler pulled and fought with the man trying to break his grasp and free herself from an extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” he said. “Once free, she fell onto the middle of the interstate and somehow managed to avoid other vehicles hitting her.”
Fowler was treated at Mission Hospital and released. Capt. Tim Splain said she suffered bruises and scratches but will be OK.
Charges against Avila-Aguilar include assault with a deadly weapon on a government official, second-degree kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, fleeing to elude arrest, reckless driving to endanger, injury to property and driving while impaired.
