HV Police Officer Dragged By Suspects Fleeing Traffic Stop

One officer fired a shot at one of the tires in an attempt to disable the vehicle.

On May, 31, 2018, at approximately 2:02 a.m. New Paltz Police stopped a vehicle in the Town of New Paltz, and during the traffic stop, one of officers noticed that the two rear passengers matched a description of two individuals that were reported to have fled from the NYS Police earlier in the evening during a traffic stop on the New York State Thruway.

The officer requested back up, at which time the driver was removed from the vehicle. During this time, one of the rear passengers jumped into the driver's seat, and an officer attempted to stop him from putting the vehicle in gear.

The other occupant seated in the rear of the car also physically resisted the officers efforts at which time, the vehicle began to drive off dragging the New Paltz Officer. One officer fired one shot at the tire of the fleeing vehicle in an attempt to disable it.

The officer being dragged was able to free himself from the fleeing vehicle. The vehicle crashed a short distance down the road, and the remaining occupants fled into a wooded area.

The two were arrested when it was reported that they ahd been picked up by a cab a short distance from the crash.

The officer that was dragged by the vehicle suffered minor injuries and was treated on the scene. The officer that discharged his weapon was evaluated at an area hospital and released.

Matthew King, 23, of Brooklyn and Dontayvus Thomas, 26, of Brooklyn were both arrested.

Thomas was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, 3 Counts of Assault, Reckless Endangerment, Obstructing Governmental Administration, Fleeing and Officer in a Motor Vehicle, Resisting Arrest, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

King was charged with Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance, Resisting Arrest, 3 counts of Assault, Reckless endangerment, and Obstructing Governmental Administration.

Both men were remanded to Ulster county Jail in lieu of $100,000 cash bail, or $100,000 bond.