State Trooper Injured After Being Dragged Following Traffic Stop

EAST MEADOW, NY — A New York State trooper was injured Thursday night after he was dragged by a vehicle for a short distance after stopping a driver for being on his cell phone while driving on the Southern State Highway, the state police reported Friday.

The trooper, who was not identified, later was able to arrest the driver following a short chase, police said. Jeff Etienne, 26, Westbury, was charged with second degree assault, second degree reckless endangerment, fleeing an officer, arresting arrest and obstruction as well as possession of marijuana following the incident. He is currently being held while awaiting arraignment.

The trooper initially pulled Etienne over just after 8:32 p.m. just west of Exit 23 in the Town of Hempstead. According to police, Etienne failed to follow instructions during the stop and refused to get out of his car when asked to do so by the trooper. A brief struggle began with the trooper, who was then dragged for a short distance. The trooper was able to get back into his car and chased Etienne’s vehicle on the Wantagh State Parkway and then was able to arrest Etienne just south of Old Country Road, police said.

The trooper was treated for a knee injury at a local hospital following the chase and was released.