CORSICANA, Texas — Corsicana police officer Sgt. Dan McAninch was dragged around a gas station while struggling with a suspect on Sunday, Sept. 22.
According to Chief Robert Johnson, McAninch initiated a traffic stop in the 700 block of North Beaton Street and the vehicle, which was occupied by two men, eventually stopped at The Speedy Mart located at 601 N. Beaton St.
Johnson said McAninch requested a backup unit because of the suspect's behavior and shortly after, Officer Tommy Ordonez arrived, parking in front of the suspect's vehicle.
According to Johnson, as Ordonez exited his patrol unit, the suspect jumped back into his vehicle. McAninch then opened the suspect's driver-side door and began to struggle with him.
The police chief said the suspect then put his vehicle in drive and drove forward toward Ordonez, who was able to get out of the way in time before the suspect collided with the side of his patrol unit.
According to Johnson, the suspect then put his vehicle in reverse and continued to drag McAninch until he slammed him into the protective structure around the gas pumps, which knocked him to the ground. During this portion of the incident, Ordonez was also hit.
Johnson said the suspect kept driving backward until he hit McAninch's patrol unit, he then sped forward and hit the gas pumps with his open door.
According to Johnson, officers pursued the suspect for about a half-mile with speeds reaching up to 90 mph. The suspect then stopped his vehicle at a private residence on Welsey Drive and after a brief struggle with police, he was arrested.
Johnson said although deadly force was authorized due to the danger the officers were in, they made the quick decision to not fire because the passenger in the vehicle did not pose a threat and Officer McAninch was trapped in the line of fire.
According to Johnson, the suspect was charged with two counts of aggravated assault against a public servant, two counts of criminal mischief, DWI, resisting arrest, and evading arrest with a motor vehicle.
Johnson said the two officers who were stuck by the vehicle suffered only minor injuries that didn't require medical attention.
"Sgt. Dan McAninch, Officers Tommy Ordonez, Trey Owens and Cpl. Michael Brooks should all be commended for their restraint in a situation which unfolded quickly," Johnson said.
