Fleeing Suspect Charged With Assault After Dragging Officer: PD

NEW LONDON, CT — A 25-year-old Willimantic man was charged with assaulting a police officer after he tried to flee in a car and dragged the officer the length of Westomere Place onto Montauk Avenue just after 6 a.m. Tuesday, police said.

The driver, Kyndrel Dawson, kept going after the officer finally fell onto the pavement. A bulletin was sent out to neighboring police departments to be on the lookout for Dawson. He was ultimately captured, police said.

The incident began at 6:15 a.m. when police responded to a suspicious event involving two people in a white car, according to New London police Capt. Matthew Galante.

In the car was driver Dawson and passenger Diamond English, 20, of New London, who police said initially gave a false name and date of birth as she had an active family violence protective order which Dawson was in violation of.

Galante said that when police “attempted to have Dawson” get out of the car, he “accelerated rapidly” dragging the officer.

With Dawson on the run, Galante said, a Groton Town police officer located the car. Police said Dawson took off on foot along I-95, but was eventually caught.

Connecticut State Police, Groton Town, Groton City and Ledyard police departments helped in the search and capture of Dawson, Galante said.

The New London police officer suffered non-life threatening injuries, and was treated and released from Lawrence + Memorial Hospital.

Dawson, held on $250,000 bond, is charged with first-degree criminal assault, assault on a police officer, second-degree assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, resisting arrest, violation of a protective order and reckless driving.

English is being held on a $25,000 bond and is charged with interfering with police.