A Tunkhannock man drove away from a traffic stop by city police Monday morning despite the city police officer's arm being stuck in the driver's side window of his Chevrolet Cavalier, police said.
City police Cpl. Thomas McDonald managed to free himself from the vehicle uninjured with the help of Officer James Priorelli just before the driver, Christopher Davis, 27, hit the gas harder and proceeded to crash into a utility pole, said acting Scranton police Capt. Glen Thomas.
What started as Cpl. McDonald checking on a driver slumped over in a car parked in a lot in the 1600 block of Nay Aug Avenue at about 11 a.m. started to go awry when the officer asked what Mr. Davis was doing there.
He initially said he was waiting for a friend though his story changed a few times, Capt. Thomas said. Eventually Cpl. McDonald called for a check on Mr. Davis and learned he was wanted by county domestic relations for outstanding warrants.
Cpl. McDonald then told Mr. Davis to get out of the car, Capt. Thomas said. Instead, Mr. Davis started the engine.
Cpl. McDonald warned him not to move the vehicle but he began to pull away and the corporal reached in to try and unlock the door, Capt. Thomas said.
After side-stepping along with the car in which his arm was stuck, Cpl. McDonald broke free once Officer Priorelli managed to open the door, Capt. Thomas said.
At that point Mr. Davis sped up and crashed into a utility pole a short distance away causing the vehicle's airbags to deploy.
Still, Mr. Davis attempted to flee the scene on foot but did not get very far before the two officers took him into custody.
A look through the car also turned up about 10 bags of heroin as well as a hypodermic needle, Capt. Thomas said.
As of Monday afternoon, Mr. Davis was awaiting arraignment on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting arrest, escape and reckless endangerment.
Copyright 2013 - The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
