CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — The officer who injured after he was dragged during a traffic stop says he could have died during the encounter.
Clayton County Officer P. Fender says he lost consciousness when he fell and hit his head.
Fender initially stopped the driver after he said he clocked him going 55 in a 25 mph school zone on Garden Walk Boulevard.
Meanwhile, police have now identified the driver who remains on the loose as 59-year-old Christopher Lovett.
Pender spoke exclusively to Channel 2’s Tom Jones about this frightening ordeal. He walked him through what happened.
“So, the door was open. He was facing straight,” Fender demonstrated to Jones.
Before that, he told Jones police stops are very dangerous and officers have no idea who they are approaching.
He says this traffic stop ended up like no other when he was dragged 10 to 15 feet.
“That could have killed me,” Fender said.
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He said he fell and hit his head after Lovett sped off, leaving him with a minor concussion and other scrapes and bruises.
“We could have been going faster and my head hit the ground. I might not be talking to you right now,” Fender said.
Fender says it began when he stopped Lovett Wednesday afternoon: “I pulled the guy over for going about 50 in a school zone 25.”
He says Lovett had a warrant, so he tried to remove him from his truck.
“He refuses to get out. I go to get him out,” Fender said.
He says he wrapped his arms around Lovett, but that’s when the unexpected happened.
“He throws it into gear. And as he’s driving off it started hyperextending my arm like this,” he said.
Fender says his arms were trapped and as the truck sped off he was dragged about 10 to 15 feet.
He lost consciousness and woke up to his back up officer tending to his wounds.
“My back up was on top of me, screaming, ‘Officer down,’ on the radio,” Fender said.
He was rushed to the hospital but quickly released.
Fender stressed again, traffic stops are very dangerous, but most are uneventful.
“But every now and then you will find that one bad apple that does something stupid,” he said.
Fender said that’s what happened during this incident. But he says he holds no grudges against Lovett.
“I forgive him. It took me a second to realize that, but God told me to forgive him,” he said.
Officers from several jurisdictions are searching for Lovett. Police released a Be On The Lookout poster for Lovett with the warning, “Do not approach.”
They’re asking the public to call 911 or Clayton County police at 770-477-3747 if you know his whereabouts. You can also share anonymous tips through Crimestoppers at 404577-TIPS.
Jones spoke to some of Lovett’s friends who say they are working to get him to turn himself in.
Fender says traffic stops won’t be the same after this.