Man Drags Cop Who Tries To Stop Him From Driving Drunk: Police

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A Sag Harbor man was busted after he dragged a police officer — who was trying to stop him from driving away while intoxicated — with his vehicle, authorities said.

According to East Hampton Town Police, the incident took place behind the 7-Eleven in Montauk on Saturday at 4:45 a.m. Officers approached a group of individuals who appeared to be intoxicated and had just gotten into a 2001 GMC, parked in front of the 7-Eleven on Montauk Highway, police said.

Andrew Hellman, 36, of Sag Harbor, who appeared to be intoxicated, put the vehicle in drive as a police officer was trying to prevent him from doing so, police said.

The officer was dragged several feet as Hellman drove off, and was then thrown from the vehicle as Hellman continued at an unsafe speed, heading west on Montauk Highway before losing control of the vehicle and flipping over just west of the 7-Eleven, police said.

Hellman and the others in the vehicle were extracted; Hellman was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated, second degree assault, second degree reckless endangerment, fourth degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, third degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, and three counts of criminal possession of a controlled substance, police said.

A passenger, Christopher Metz, 43, of East Hampton, was charged with possession of marijuana, police said.

Hellman was arraigned in East Hampton Town Justice Court on Sunday; bail was set at $7,500 cash and $15,000 bond, police said.

The officer dragged was treated for his injuries at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital and released, police said.

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