Officer Dragged 20 Feet During Traffic Stop

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — A police officer was dragged almost 20 feet after the driver he pulled over drove off, according to reports.

According to an arrest affidavit referenced by WOAI, the incident occurred on Saturday, June 23, at around 4 a.m. along the 1600 block of East Riverside Drive just east of Interstate 35. Police pulled over Hansel Zaragoza, 22, for speeding, according to the report.

As the officer talked to the Zaragoza, he noticed what appeared to be a handgun on the floorboard, according to the report. Zaragoza accelerated as the officer attempted to unfasten the driver's seat belt, according to a newly released arrest affidavit.

Fearing for his partners's safety, a second officer at the scene is said to have pulled his service weapon while pointing it to Zaragoza's head, prompting the driver to stop the vehicle, put it in park and remove the key from the ignition, according to the report. The suspected handgun turned out to be a pellet gun, the affidavit states.

The officer who was dragged suffered a minor injury to his shin, according to the report.

Zaragoza is charged with aggravated assault on a public servant. He was booked into Travis County Jail with bail set at $25,000. A booking photo was unavailable.

>>> Read the full story at WOAI

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