Officer In Stable Condition Following Assault in Southwest Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA (WTXT) - An officer is in stable condition after surviving an experience with a suspect that could have killed him. He was dragged by a car and the chaos didn't end there.

Police trying to arrest the suspected driver say he didn't go quietly.

FOX 29's Sabina Kuriakose reported from the scene in Southwest Philadelphia.

What eyewitness Bill Richards didn't see at 2 a.m. Sunday from his business at 60th and Lancaster.

"I just saw a cop pull somebody over and the guy speed off," Richards said.

Was the 19th district officer holding on for dear life to the car he saw drive away. Police say the 2008 silver Infiniti struck and dragged the officer following a traffic stop for having his lights off.

The officer not hurt despite skidding on his side down the street. Police say the driver had glassy eyes and they could smell alcohol when he was first stopped.

The car tried to elude police again near City Ave crashing at Ridge and Kelly Drive. Police say the driver tried to run, but they caught him and put him under arrest.

"There are always cops in the area. We usually have one that sits in our parking lot and watches us," Richards said.

Bill says his neighborhood has seen its share of violence, .but he's felt safe knowing police are nearby.

"They have a hard job. Really hard. They don't get enough credit for it," Richards said.