Detroit Woman Charged in Dragging of Novi Police Officer

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NOVI, MI – A Detroit woman who allegedly dragged a Novi police officer about 60 feet after a traffic stop earlier this month was arraigned Thursday on multiple charges, police said.

The officer, who hasn’t been named, pulled Chantell Lashay Sturdivant, 26, over for a minor traffic violation on northbound Haggerty Road, north of Eight Mile Road, about 2:15 a.m. on March 7.

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Police said the officer discovered during a background check that there were multiple outstanding warrants in Sturdivant's name and that she was driving with a suspended license, but allowed her to return to her 2016 Hyundai after to make a call when she said she needed to make arrangements for someone to pick up two young children who were passengers].

Instead, Sturdivant attempted to flee and the officer grabbed her left arm as she drove off, police said. The officer held on as long as possible, finally letting go of the vehicle after he had been dragged about 60 feet. The officer sustained minor cuts and bruises, but wasn’t seriously injured.

On Thursday, Novi 52-1 District Court Judge Andra Richardson ordered Sturdivant held on $500,000 cash bond (no surety). She will remain in the Oakland County Jail until her probable cause conference at 9:15 a.m. on March 24 before 52-1 District Court Judge Travis Reeds.

The Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office is charging Sturdivant with one count of resisting and obstructing, a four-year felony; one count of fourth-degree fleeing and eluding, a two-year felony; driving with a suspended license; and reckless driving.