CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – A Clarksville police officer was run over by a suspect’s vehicle as he fled the scene Tuesday afternoon.
According to a release, Officer Seth Traughber responded to a suspicious activity call at Exxon Hi Rd. on Highway 76 around 3:15 p.m. A man had been on the lot for about 45 minutes and was thought to be on drugs.
When the officer arrived on scene, medics were already there and after several attempts were able to wake the man up. Medics said there were narcotic prescriptions on the front seat. Officer Traughber also smelled marijuana coming from the vehicle.
Officer Traughber approached the car and asked the man to step out of the vehicle. Instead of getting out of the vehicle, the suspect started the car and attempted to shut the door, hitting the officer, who was in between the door and the car.
After being told to stop, the man placed the vehicle in reverse to back out of the parking spot. At that point, the officer grabbed the man and told him again to stop. The man told the officer, “I can’t do that”, put the vehicle in drive and took off, dragging the officer with him.
The officer lost his grip and fell to the ground and the car’s back left tire ran over his left leg.
The suspect drove away from the scene in a 2007 Chevrolet.
Police determined the suspect is Billy McNeil of Nashville. He was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon by the Cheatham County Sheriff’s Office on warrants issued by CPD for aggravated assault, driving on a revoked license, evading, and resisting arrest. He was booked into the Montgomery County Jail Thursday and his bond was set at $290,000.
The officer was transported to the hospital after the incident. He had some abrasions, but no major injuries and is back at work.
Video courtesy of Clarksville Police Department