The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public’s help in finding a driver who sped away from a deputy at a stop, dragging the deputy and injuring him when he was thrown from the moving SUV.
The incident happened about 10:40 p.m. Saturday in the 1600 block of Rosemont Drive in Security, according to a sheriff’s office media release.
A resident on the block called 911 to report a patrol vehicle parked in front of her home and a deputy lying in the street.
The deputy, Chris DeStefano, suffered multiple injuries, including lacerations to his head and face, fractured facial bones, and a dislocated finger. He was released from a hospital Sunday morning and is expected to fully recover.
DeStefano was on patrol Saturday night when he saw a small, black SUV speeding on Main Street heading north, the sheriff’s office said.
The deputy pulled behind the SUV and activated his emergency lights. The SUV made two quick turns and was southbound on Rosemont Drive when it came to a stop.
DeStefano approached on foot and as he talked with the driver the SUV began to roll forward.
“DeStefano took the suspect’s shirt in his left hand and ordered him to stop the vehicle and turn off the engine,” the sheriff’s office said.
The driver increased speed, dragging the deputy along as the SUV sped away.
“DeStefano was able to strike the suspect in the face in an attempt to gain his compliance,” the sheriff’s office said. DeStefano was dragged for about 40 yards before being thrown from the vehicle and injured.
The sheriff’s office is investigating the incident, including procedures and practices leading up to the deputy’s injuries. Radio traffic may have impeded DeStefano’s ability to air suspect vehicle information and his location prior to the stop, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office described the driver of the SUV as a light-skinned, bald, black man with no facial hair who is very heavy set. He was wearing a brown, collared shirt at the time of the incident and he may have scratches or bruising to the left side of his face.
Anyone with information on the incident, or on a possible suspect, is asked to call the sheriff’s office at 719 390-5555 or Crime Stoppers at 719 634-7867 (STOP).
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
