Pinellas Park police officer hit, dragged by motorcycle during traffic stop

A Pinellas Park officer was hit by a motorcycle and dragged across several lanes of 118th Avenue during a traffic stop Tuesday, police said.

According to a news release from the Pinellas Park Police Department, police were monitoring traffic in a construction zone along 118th Avenue around 11 a.m. Tuesday when an officer noticed a motorcycle traveling west near 49th Street N at a high rate of speed.

The officer approached the driver at a red light at westbound 118th Avenue and U.S. 19 North and asked him to turn off the motorcycle and move to the side of the road.

The driver turned off the motorcycle, then re-started it and accelerated toward the officer, police said, almost striking him.

The officer grabbed the driver and attempted to pull him off the motorcycle. But the driver accelerated, police said, striking the officer and dragging him across several lanes of 118th Avenue.

The motorcyclist continued driving and was last seen traveling south on U.S. 19.

The officer, who was not named in the release, was taken to a local hospital with injuries to his upper body. He was released and is resting at home.

The motorcycle driver is described as a white male wearing a black jacket, black helmet and khaki pants. He was driving a black sport bike with a stretched swing arm.

Police ask that anyone with information about the incident call (727) 369-7864. Those wishing to remain anonymous can call Crime Stoppers of Pinellas County at 800-873-8477 and may be eligible for a cash reward.