Driver who sped off dragging police officer arrested

Police officers searching for the driver in Towner Road. The car was found abandoned in the area and the driver was arrested.
Police officers searching for the driver in Towner Road. The car was found abandoned in the area and the driver was arrested. PHOTO: SHIN MIN READER

A driver who was stopped for suspected traffic violations allegedly drove off dragging a Traffic Police officer for some distance, said the police yesterday.

The man, 31, was arrested for committing a rash act causing grievous hurt, and for traffic and drug-related offences, said the police in a statement.

He will be charged in court tomorrow.

The police said the officer had stopped the driver for suspected traffic violations on the Central Expressway towards Ayer Rajah Expressway, before the Balestier Road exit, at about 7.30am yesterday.

During the checks, the driver allegedly drove off suddenly and dragged the officer along with the moving vehicle over a distance, said the police.

The officer suffered multiple injuries and was taken to hospital. His condition is stable.

The car was later found abandoned in Towner Road, and the man was arrested at 1.10pm.

Police investigations are ongoing. The police advised road users to comply with traffic rules and regulations, and abide by the directions of its officers during enforcement checks.

"The police have zero tolerance towards such acts of violence against public servants who are carrying out their duties and will not hesitate to take action against those who blatantly disregard the law," they said in the statement.

Anyone convicted of a rash act causing grievous hurt under the Penal Code can be jailed for up to four years, fined up to $10,000, or both.

This is not the first time a police officer has been involved in such an incident. Last year, a Maserati driver whose car dragged an officer for more than 100m along Bedok Reservoir Road in 2017 was sentenced to four years and seven months' jail with a lifetime driving ban.

The police officer was dragged when his uniform got caught in the driver-side door of the car. The driver had fled the scene after being stopped for driving without a seat belt.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on March 28, 2021, with the headline Driver who sped off dragging police officer arrested. Subscribe