Police officer dragged but recovering after vehicle stop in Victoria

VICTORIA – Police say an officer is recovering from a leg injury after a traffic stop near downtown Victoria.

In a news release, police say officers were warned early Wednesday that the owner of a vehicle pulled over in the traffic stop had allegedly recently said he wanted a fatal encounter with police.

As two officers spoke with the driver, the news release says he allegedly tried to pull away but one officer became entangled and was dragged for several metres before being able to get free.

Police say the vehicle then turned onto a nearby side street and into a private driveway, slamming into a parked car and pushing it into a house, extensively damaging both, although no one in the home was injured.

The police department says several bean bag rounds and a stun gun were used to subdue the driver.

Police say the crash is under investigation, but the suspect received a driving prohibition after allegedly failing a breathalyzer test.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2021.