Dramatic video shows Hamilton cop being dragged by vehicle trying to flee police

A Hamilton cop is lucky to be alive after being thrown against a police cruiser by a vehicle that was attempting to flee a scene.

The incident happened around 8 a.m. Saturday in a townhouse complex on Queen Victoria Drive in Hamilton.

Residents contacted police after noticing a man sleeping in a vehicle that was idling for over 40 minutes in the wrong direction on a hill.

When officers arrived, they blocked the suspicious vehicle with a police cruiser in front of and behind it.

“As our officers approached the vehicle, the driver woke up and immediately put the vehicle in drive, striking the police vehicle that was parked directly in front,” Const. Indy Bharaj told CHCH News.

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“Officers continued to give direction to the driver in hopes that they would step out and comply. Unfortunately the driver did not comply, putting the vehicle in drive and dragging an officer as the vehicle reversed.”

Bharaj said the vehicle finally stopped after crashing into two parked vehicles in a driveway in the townhouse complex.

Police then pulled the driver out of the vehicle and arrested him.

“The vehicle that the driver was in was stolen…from the Ancaster area the day prior,” Bharaj said.

The 35-year-old Hamilton man is now facing several charges, including flight from police, dangerous operation, possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000 and multiple drug-related offences.

Officers are investigating whether the accused was impaired at the time of the incident.

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Residents CHCH News talked to were shocked by the video of the driver trying to leave the area.

“Thank God there were no kids out there,” said one person who lives in the area.

“I see one lucky officer I can tell you that much, we’re lucky it didn’t result in anything more than that.”

Others were glad to see the officer getting up and helping with the driver’s arrest.

Bharaj confirmed the female police sergeant sustained minor injuries and is recovering at home Friday.

Residents of the townhouse complex said it used to be a quiet area to live in, but after last weekend’s incident, they have a different opinion.

“It’s sad because when I first moved here, which was 15 or 16 years ago, it was a nice place to be. But now it’s getting scary,” said a resident in the area after watching the video.