Trooper dragged by suspect’s car before drug arrest
A driver in Springfield dragged a state trooper with his car while the officer handcuffed him for a drug charge on Monday night, authorities say.
Justin R. Morgan, of Vermont, was pulled over just after 10 p.m. for “motor vehicle violations” on I-91 Northbound and I-291 Eastbound. When Trooper Theodore Tudryn asked for his driver’s license, Tudryn noticed a bag of cocaine in the Mazda, police say. That’s when Tudryn opened Morgan’s door and placed one handcuff on him, according to police. Police say Morgan then put the car in drive and began dragging Tudryn alongside the car.
With his body half in the car, Tudryn managed to put the car in park but Morgan quickly put it back into drive and kept going, according to police.
“Fearing he would roll out of the vehicle and be run over, Trooper Tudryn moved himself completely inside the vehicle, still fighting for control,” according to a police statement.
Springfield Police Officer Dan Cintron, who had stopped to assist Tudryn, ran alongside the car, ordering Morgan to stop, police say. After driving about 300 feet, Tudryn and Cintron were reportedly able to get control of the car and Cintron pulled Morgan through the passenger side door and onto the pavement before arresting him.
Joseph A. Peets, 30, and Robert G. Fitzgerald, 26, both from Vermont and passengers in Morgan’s car, were also arrested. Police say the three men had about 800 bags of heroin with them.
Morgan was charged with trafficking heroin/morphine/opium (approximately 20 grams), conspiracy to violate the drug law, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (the car), assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, negligent operation of a vehicle, refusing to identify himself, a marked lanes violation, and a number plate violation.
Fitzgerald and Peets were both charged with trafficking heroin/morphine/opium (approximately 20 grams), and conspiracy to violate the drug law.
Morgan was held on $50,000 bail and Fitzgerald and Peets were each held on $25,000 bail. The three men are scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday in Springfield District Court.
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