NEWPORT NEWS, Virignia -- A Newport News police officer died Thursday night after being dragged by a fleeing vehicle.
The officer conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 1400 block of 16th Street at approximately 6:47 p.m., according to a news release.
At some point during the encounter with the driver, he accelerated, dragging the officer. The vehicle fled the scene and crashed nearby in the area of 16th Street and Walnut Avenue. The driver was taken into custody after the crash.
The officer who was dragged suffered multiple injuries and was transported by paramedics to a local area hospital. After being transported to the hospital, the officer succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead.
Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew is scheduled to hold a press conference Friday morning at 10 a.m. at Police Headquarters, located at 9710 Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, VA 23605.
No further information will be released until the press conference.
Officer.com will provide more information on this story as it becomes available.