NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — New video shows police bodycam of a teen driver dragging an officer over 100 yards with her car during a traffic stop.
The Covington Police officer is recovering from his injuries after it happened Friday along Highway 142.
He had stopped the car at QuikTrip after the driver was suspected of shoplifting at a nearby Walmart.
Moments later, the driver floored the gas, taking the officer who was hanging from the window.
“When he hit the ground, obviously he was out of breath, there was a lot of pain. He immediately radioed to us what was going on,” said Det. Daniel Seals.
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Bystanders rushed over to offer help to the injured officer, who was still clutching the suspect’s driver’s license.
Police say 19-year-old Destinee Riggins had a stolen handgun in a bag during the violent encounter with the officer.
They arrested her a few hours later at a house in Covington.
The officer, whose name hasn’t been released, was rushed to Grady Hospital to be treated for scrapes and bruises. He is now recovering at home.
“That’s why most of us don’t like the term routine traffic stop, because there’s nothing routine about a traffic stop,” Det. Seals said.
The suspect remains in jail, facing charges that include aggravated assault on an officer and armed robbery.
Investigators say there could be additional charges and arrests.
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