Nashville Police Officer Dragged By Car

OFFICER737 · 04-02-2006, 08:54 AM

Watch yourselves out there guys!

A Metro Police officer stopped this car around 1:00 a.m. Wednesday on Gallatin road near Rivergate Mall. The driver of the car tried to get away with the policeman hanging out of the door.

What started as a routine traffic stop, ended with an arrest and the collection of weapons and drugs.

Jason Wells was driving a white Honda Civic when police say a Metro Police lieutenant pulled him over.

While the lieutenant was giving him a ticket, another officer spotted an opened container of alcohol in the car. This, of course, prompted the officers to take a closer look at what was inside the car. While searching the car, the officers saw a gun. That’s when Wells sped away with the lieutenant still in the door.

He was dragged about 20 feet, but only suffered minor injuries, mainly a few scratches.

Wells finally crashed his car on Twin Hills Road. Police say they caught him hiding in some bushes.

After a better search of the car, police found two guns and marijuana in the vehicle.

Wells was taken to the hospital to be checked out after a few minor injuries he suffered in the apprehension. He faces charges for dragging the officer.

AnKleBiTer · 04-02-2006, 01:49 PM

Hopefully he will learn his lesson while servicing Bubba in jail.

Stupid ass!

mikem317 · 04-02-2006, 01:53 PM

Ouch. I hope he heals up quick!

Question, why was the suspect still in the car during the search?

NCGSXR · 04-02-2006, 02:43 PM

Should have shot him. That warrants deadly force. I've had this happen to a close friend and when he pulled his gun and stuck it to the guys head and went to pull the trigger the driver stopped.

HighsideSV · 04-02-2006, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCGSXR

Should have shot him. That warrants deadly force. I've had this happen to a close friend and when he pulled his gun and stuck it to the guys head and went to pull the trigger the driver stopped.

There is a local problem with this. There were a couple of incidents in the Seattle area where deadly force was used against drivers who were percieved as using their vehicles as weapons, and the political fallout was intense for a *long* time. I would not be suprised if the same thing has happened in this officers area. With the increasing liberalization of police supervision I would not want to be the guy that tries to split hairs with deadly force.

NCGSXR · 04-02-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redmenace

There is a local problem with this. There were a couple of incidents in the Seattle area where deadly force was used against drivers who were percieved as using their vehicles as weapons, and the political fallout was intense for a *long* time. I would not be suprised if the same thing has happened in this officers area. With the increasing liberalization of police supervision I would not want to be the guy that tries to split hairs with deadly force.

Must be different around here, we've never in the last 30 years or so had a officer sued where the officer lost. You get in a big city like Seattle and your gonna run into people who think cops shouldn't carry guns. Around here if you don't have a gun then you are from out of state.

AnKleBiTer · 04-02-2006, 08:58 PM

I'm not sure, we'd have to ask Officer, but I think one of the guys in his dept. got dragged a few years back by some crazy lady running scared. I'll ask him when he gets home.

kneedraggin650s · 04-03-2006, 01:19 AM

ok question, but first glad he is ok.
What was he doing that caused him to get dragged? He should not have been leaning in the car, and should have been behind the safety of the A post.

NCGSXR · 04-03-2006, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kneedraggin650s

ok question, but first glad he is ok.
What was he doing that caused him to get dragged? He should not have been leaning in the car, and should have been behind the safety of the A post.

Shouldn't that be the "b" post, A post is the one where the windsheild connects, B is right behind the driver, and c is usually the rear window connect.

kneedraggin650s · 04-03-2006, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCGSXR

Shouldn't that be the "b" post, A post is the one where the windsheild connects, B is right behind the driver, and c is usually the rear window connect.

We always call it the "a" post, but your way of thinking makes more sense. I don't know if its A or B, but you got the idea.

jk750 · 04-03-2006, 01:49 PM

I'm not one to second guess a scene that I wasn't on, but I would also like to know how the driver had control of the car if it was being searched.

Glad everybody is ok.

OFFICER737 · 04-03-2006, 07:03 PM

My guess would be that the LT. was issueing the citation, cover officer spots beer/alcohol in the vehicle the officer either reaches through an open window or opens the door and reaches for the container to see if it is empty or cold and when the officer saw the gun the guy knew it and tried to flee with the officer still partially in the vehicle. I believe the suspect was being issued a traffic citation would not warrant them being removed from the vehicle.

Would I have shot the driver? I don't know I wasn't there. We had an officer here a few years ago that was dragged about 100 yards down the pavement when the driver rolled the officer's arm up in the wndow and attempted to flee when they officer was trying to arrest her. The officer was unable to get to his weapon and finally the driver rolled the window down enough for the officer's arm to slip out. In that situation I would have shot her. Being dragged 100 yards down a busy road by felony suspect I am pretty sure I could justify that. Not along I was almost ran over until I drew my weapon at the driver....when the Beretta came out the brakes went on then. If they would have gotten closer I would have shot them.

Nashville Metro has shot some drivers like this before and have yet to lose a lawsuit on it. The person is armed with a 2 ton weapon and the court system has always ruled in favor of the officer in these situations that have came up around here.

kneedraggin650s · 04-03-2006, 07:32 PM

We are taught to only put the citation book on the window and hold the top and have them turn and sign it. We hold on the book so they can't take it and drive off with it. We don't put our hands or arms in the window for that reason. I am also not one to play Monday morning quarter back, but it can serve as a good refresher training for those that might be to relaxed.

daytonaguy · 04-03-2006, 07:49 PM

I've heard several stories like this where simple complacency kills. I'm glad those involved are okay, and I hope that dirtbag who dragged the officer receives harsh punishment.

OFFICER737 · 04-03-2006, 08:06 PM

We are taught that. The Lt. probably hasn't been on the road in a while. When the new Chief (Serpas) came to the Nashville Metro dept. he made all supervisors work a patrol shift each week.......maybe he should have suggested refresher training for those guys because some have not been on the streets in 15 years or more.