The Aberdeen Police Department says in a social media post that a driver stopped for DUI attempted to take off by driving away, with the officer hanging out of the driver side door window.  

The incident took place On October 5, 2021, around 2 AM, when Aberdeen Officers were dispatched to a report of a possible driver under the influence of alcohol in South Aberdeen. The caller provided a description of the vehicle and responding officers located the vehicle driving a short time later. Aberdeen Officers conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on Market Street near F Street after observing driving that corroborated the report of a possible DUI.

During the contact with the driver, officers could smell intoxicants and the driver exhibited the effects of consuming alcohol.

Officers also observed alcohol in the vehicle. When officers told the driver he was under arrest, the subject attempted to start the vehicle. Officers attempted to remove the keys to prevent the intoxicated driver from fleeing, and they were not successful.

An officer attempted to open the door to remove the driver, and the driver rapidly accelerated as the officer hung on to the steering while. The car quickly completed two full circles across the roadway with the officer hanging out of the driver’s window.

The officer was unable to let go for fear of getting run over by the vehicle. The officer was able to get the car into neutral and attempted to pull the vehicle’s emergency brake as it came to rest as another officer blocked its path with a patrol car.