Driver with multiple arrest warrants drags State Police trooper during traffic stop

WARE, Mass. — A Connecticut man is accused of driving away from a traffic stop, dragging a Massachusetts State Police trooper for about 30 feet.

At around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, a trooper in Ware pulled over a 2009 Nissan Altima that had been traveling southbound on Route 32 for a license plate violation.

The driver, identified as Joseph Hurlburt, 24, of Enfield, Conn., had multiple warrants for his arrest.

When the trooper tried getting Hurlburt out of his car, he began to drive away at a high speed, dragging the trooper for about 30 feet before coming to an abrupt stop, which caused the trooper to fall. The trooper was not injured in the incident.

Hulburt then fled the scene on Route 32 toward Palmer.

After officers placed a BOLO out for Hurlburt, authorities were able to find him at around 2 a.m. on Thursday and arrested him for the active warrants along with additional charges filed by their department.

Hurlburt is being charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, failure to stop for police, resisting arrest, interfering with a police officer, license plate violation and marked lanes violation.

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