Officer dragged as driver fled

An Alachua Police Department (APD) officer was injured Sunday when he reportedly attempted to stop the driver of a car from pulling away.

APD Sergeant Jimmy Smith was dragged about 20 feet while conducting a traffic stop on a car traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 441, according to reports.  The officer asked the driver, Ernest Ross, Jr., 39, of Brooker, to turn off the vehicle after it was discovered he didn’t have a valid driver’s license, but police say the man became uncooperative.

After a brief struggle, Smith reportedly found himself caught in the window of the 2001 Chrysler PT Cruiser being driven by Ross.  Smith was apparently trying to turn off the vehicle, but Ross was able to shift the car into drive.  He began to drive away, dragging Smith, who was able to free himself after about 20 feet.

Smith followed Ross for a short time before going to the fire rescue station in Alachua for treatment to injuries described by officers as “minor cuts and bruises.”

Other officers, including deputies from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO), began pursuing Ross.  The chase reportedly continued into the Brooker area where Ross jumped out of the car he was driving and fled on foot.  Police chased Ross through the woods but were not able to catch him right away.

Police returned to the woods a short time later with the assistance of the Baker Correctional Institute and Reception Medical Center.  Using bloodhounds from the correctional facility, police say they were able to track Ross to a nearby residence where he was arrested.

Ross was taken to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office Department of the Jail and is being charged with three felonies, including resisting an officer, habitual traffic offender, and aggravated battery on an officer and resisting, as well as a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer. He is also being charged with a probation violation.

Ross remained in jail Wednesday afternoon without bond.  Sgt. Smith returned to work Wednesday.