Police: Raleigh officer dragged by fleeing driver

Police said the officer stopped driver Cornelius Ray Thompson, 50, at Tarboro and Davie streets around 12:30 a.m. because a headlight on his truck was out.

When the officer approached the truck, he saw Thompson hiding something, police said. A struggle ensued, and Thompson jumped back in the truck.

Police said the officer's arm got caught in the seat belt, and he was dragged along the road when Thompson started driving away. The officer managed to get away, jumped in his car and pursued Thompson.

The chase went on for about 30 minutes at speeds between 45 and 60 mph, police said. Wake County sheriff's deputies and Garner police helped in the pursuit.

The chase ended outside Thompson's house at 1004 Spanish Moss Lane, south of Garner.

Thompson was charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a law enforcement officer, one count each of felony speeding to elude and possession of cocaine, and various traffic violations.

Police said the officer, whose name hasn't been released, was treated at Spanish Moss Lane after the chase had ended.

Thompson has two previous convictions, for possession of drug paraphernalia in 2005 and common-law robbery in 1984, according to state Department of Correction records. He served about a year in prison for the robbery conviction.