A 19-year-veteran of the Pembroke Pines police was seriously injured this morning after he was dragged a half-mile, clinging to the car of a suspect he found doing drugs in a retirement community, police said.
When officer John Cusack approached a car reported to be parked in Century Village containing an unconscious couple, he got more than he bargained for. The driver, Thomas Cabrera, 38, of Pembroke Pines suddenly woke up and took off while Cusack was reaching into the car, the Miami Herald reported.
Cusack was caught in the door frame and was dragged for about a half mile, an incident caught in scary detail by his body camera. He can be heard yelling at Cabrera to stop while he hung onto the side of the car.
During the chase, Cabrera is accused of trying to ram into Pembroke Pines Fire Rescue trucks responding to the original overdose call. Cabrera also tried to pry Cusack's fingers off the door with one hand while steering with the other, police said.
Cusack eventually let go of the car and rolled, sustaining serious but not life-threatening injuries to his arms and legs. His uniform and shoes "were shredded from being dragged along the roadway," according to a police report.
Cabrera continued to flee at speeds of up to 105 mph, police said. He was eventually stopped around 9 a.m. on Interstate 595 near Florida's Turnpike.
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He was charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer; felony fleeing and eluding; driving with a suspended license; and reckless driving.
Police said he admitted that he and his fiance were doing heroin and cocaine in the car before Cusack woke him up.
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