2 Boston Police Officers Injured After Being Dragged By Car

Two members of the Boston Police Department were dragged a “significant distance” after a suspect attempted to flee the scene of a traffic stop Sunday night, police said.

Bryant Gilbert, 45, of Boston, was pulled over by police in the area of Blue Hill Avenue for driving erratically. According to police, officers observed the vehicle swerving from lane to lane without signaling and operating at a high rate of speed.

Officers approached the vehicle and observed that it was still in gear. The officers requested Gilbert to place the vehicle in park, but he adamantly refused, according to police. Fearing Gilbert’s reckless driving was a danger to other citizens in the area, officers attempted to secure the driver and the vehicle.

The operator then stepped on the gas, dragging both officers with the vehicle. The officers were dragged for about 100 yards before the vehicle crashed into a parked car, police said. Gilbert and his passenger fled the vehicle, and the officers pursued on foot.

The officers quickly caught up to Gilbert. After a violent struggle, Gilbert was handcuffed and placed in custody.

Both officers were transported to the hospital for the treatment of non-life threatening injuries. They have since been released.

Gilbert was charged with failure to submit to a police officer, assault and battery by means of a dangerous weapon on a police officer, negligent operation of a motor vehicle (2nd and subsequent offense), leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident with personal injury, leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident with property damage (2 counts), and resisting arrest.

During the booking process, officers recovered a large sum of US currency and several small individual bags of a substance believed to be marijuana, according to police. Gilbert was also charged with possession with intent to distribute Class D drugs.