[naviga:img class="img-responsive" src="/Assets/news2015/0226DayDickerson.JPG" alt="Taj L. Dickerson"/]

Taj L. Dickerson

Groton — A town police officer was injured Monday morning when a driver he stopped fled with the officer partly hanging out of the open car door for almost a mile, police said.

The injuries to Officer Tyler DeAngelo, who was taken to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, were described as non-life-threatening.

"This was a pretty harrowing incident," said a shaken up Chief Louis J. Fusaro Jr. "This could have been a lot worse — could have been much worse. He could have gotten killed, quite frankly."

Police said that at 4 a.m. DeAngelo stopped a car for an equipment violation on Route 1 near the intersection of Route 117. Police said DeAngelo smelled marijuana as he walked up to the car and that the driver, Taj L. Dickerson, admitted to having some on his person.

DeAngelo then asked Dickerson to exit the 2007 Ford Edge so officers could investigate further. Dickerson, who had a pit bull in his car, brought the dog with him as he exited.

Police said officers found crack cocaine as they searched the car. As officers prepared to arrest Dickerson and make arrangements for the pit bull, Dickerson ran back toward his car. DeAngelo gave chase, struggling with Dickerson as Dickerson placed the car in drive.

Dickerson drove off along Route 1 with DeAngelo hanging partially outside the open driver's door for about a mile, to the area of Buddington Road. Dickerson was speeding at times and at one point nearly hit a telephone pole, Fusaro said.

DeAngelo, who jerked the wheel to avoid crashing into the pole, managed to free himself, tumbling to the ground. Some officers stopped to assist him while others continued to follow Dickerson's car.

Dickerson continued west on Route 1 and onto Interstate 95 south. He then drove into New London, where New London officers helped Groton officers stop his car on Eugene O'Neill Drive.

Dickerson, 22, of 239 Nautilus Drive, New London, was charged with interfering with a police officer, assault on a police officer, first-degree reckless endangerment, first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree threatening, cruelty to animals, possession of marijuana, possession of crack cocaine, failure to have lit tail lamps, reckless driving and engaging police in pursuit.

Dickerson was arraigned in New London Superior Court Monday. Records show he remains in custody on a $175,000 bond and is next due in court March 19.

l.boyle@theday.com