UPDATE: New Canaan Police Officer Dragged 35 Feet by a Suicidal Man

Update 12:42 p.m.:

Erik Kuranko was released from Norwalk Hospital Friday morning, taken to New Canaan Police Headquarters and was processed in connection with his arrest, police said.

He did not post the $15,000 bond, so he was taken to state Superior Court in Norwalk for arraignment, police said.

Update, 10:29 a.m.:

The New Canaan police officer injured in yesterday’s incident is Lt. Fred Pickering, according to New Canaan police, who say the 28-year veteran of the force was home by Friday morning recovering from his injuries.

Erik Kuranko, the driver of the car, remains at Norwalk Hosiptal.

Original article:

A New Canaan police officer was dragged 35 feet after trying to remove a suicidal man from a car during a tense standoff on Old Stamford Road and Weed Street Thursday night, police said.

The car ended up stopping only when it hit a snowbank, and the officer sustained injuries to his knees, neck and back, but was treated and released from the hospital, police said.

The incident began at 6:10 p.m. when police responded to a 911 call from an individual that a person threatening suicide, Erik Kuranko, 24, of Grove Street, was traveling on Old Stamford Road with his headlights off, police said.

After a vehicle description was given the vehicle, a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta, was seen traveling south on Old Stamford Road.

Officers stopped the vehicle on Old Stamford Road north of Weed Street. Officers approached the operator and were unable to see his hands, police said.

It was unknown if the operator had a weapon. Kuranko would not roll the window down or unlock the door, police said.

An officer broke the window to gain access to the operator.

“As officers reached in to remove the operator’s seat belt the operator took his foot off the brake and pressed the accelerator, police said in a prepared statement. “The operator was pulled from the vehicle and while the vehicle was in motion the officer’s arm was caught in the seat belt. The officer was dragged approximately 35 feet before the vehicle hit a snowbank and stopped.”

Members of the New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps transported the officer to Norwalk Hospital. Kuranko was taken into custody and transported to Norwalk Hospital. Kuranko suffered minor injuries and will be evaluated.

A knife was located in the center console area of the vehicle.

Kuranko was charged with assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer, weapon in a motor vehicle and reckless driving. He is being held on a $15,000 bond.

Picture: New Canaan police arrest photo of Erik Kuranko, 24, of Grove Street, New Canaan