Updated with more details provided by the Dunwoody Police Dept.
DUNWOODY — A Dunwoody police officer was dragged by a car following a traffic stop Thursday morning.
According to Dunwoody Police Department spokesman Robert Parsons, two police officers pulled over a vehicle on Ashford Dunwoody Road at I-285. for a violation of Georgia’s hands-free law Thursday at about 11:35 a.m.
Police say the driver fled, dragging one of the officers down the ramp onto I-285. The officer fell to the ground on the interstate. The driver was identified as 35-year-old Derric Alexander Simpson of Decatur.
“While speaking with Mr. Simpson during the traffic stop, Mr. Simpson began to put the vehicle in gear,” Parsons said. “Dunwoody Police Officer Nathan Daley reached into the vehicle in an attempt to stop Mr. Simpson from fleeing. Mr. Simpson accelerated with Officer Daley still partially inside the vehicle. Officer Daley held on to the vehicle as Mr. Simpson sped away.”
According to police, while holding on to the vehicle, Daley told Simpson to stop the car multiple times, but Simpson would not stop. Once on I-285 west, Simpson struck a white Ford van, knocking Officer Daley to the ground.
Another Dunwoody Police officer pursued Simpson west on I-285. Simpson was involved in a multi-vehicle crash just before Roswell Road. The officer pursuing Mr. Simpson pulled up as Simpson was fleeing on foot from the wrecked vehicle. The officer gave chase and took Simpson into custody moments later.
Simpson has been charged with:
• Aggravated Assault on a Police Officer
• Aggravated Battery
• Fleeing or Attempting to Elude a Police Officer
• Trafficking in Ecstasy
• Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute
• Hit and Run
• Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon
• Interference with Government Property
• Violation of the Georgia Hands-Free Law
• Possession of a Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute
Officer Daley was treated and released at a local hospital and is now recovering at home.
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