UPDATE: April 21 at 11:25 a.m.
A judge sent the case of a man accused of dragging a Lexington police officer to a grand jury.
During a courtroom hearing with a heavy police presence, an officer testified against 31-year-old Naqeeb Mufallah. Police say Mufallah dragged Officer Kevin Van Wert into a light pole during a traffic stop.
The crash left Van Wert with serious injuries, including multiple broken bones and the amputation of his right arm.
Records show Mufallah has a history of assaulting law enforcement and is currently on probation.
A grand jury will now decide if Mufallah will be indicted on multiple charges.
UPDATE: April 16 at 1 p.m.
LEX 18 in court is reporting that the man accused of critically injuring Officer Kevin Van Wert during a traffic stop, 31-year-old Naqeeb Mufallah, has plead not guilty on Thursday.
His bond has been set at $750,000, LEX 18 added.
UPDATE: April 15 at 10 a.m.
During a press conference on Wednesday morning, Lexington police, along with Mayor Linda Gorton, provided an update after a traffic stop left an officer with "very serious injuries" on Tuesday night.
Chief Lawrence Weathers reported that the officer, identified as Officer Kevin Van Wert, conducted a traffic stop at a gas station on Ruccio Way. Upon contact, the driver reportedly accelerated, dragging Van Wert into a pole and onto the ground.
Chief Weathers added that Officer Van Wert is currently in "critical condition."
Lexington police told LEX 18 that after the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Naqeeb Mufallah, fled the scene a police pursuit began. The pursuit ended on Holwyn Road where Mufallah was arrested.
Watch the live press conference below:
UPDATE: April 15 at 6:20 a.m.
A man has been arrested after a traffic stop left a Lexington Police Officer with serious injuries on Tuesday night, according to police.
Lexington police say that 31-year-old Naqeeb Mufallah has been charged with first-degree assault of a police officer, first-degree wanton endangerment of a police officer, first-degree criminal mischief, resisting arrest, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, first-degree fleeing or evading police, and leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid/assist with death or serious physical injury.
Police say that he is booked in the Fayette County Detention Center.
Original Story:
A Lexington Police officer is with "serious injuries" after being dragged by a vehicle during a Tuesday night traffic stop on Ruccio Way.
According to LPD, an officer attempted to make a traffic stop at the Meijer Gas Station just before 11 p.m.
"As the officer made contact with the vehicle, the driver fled, dragging the officer," the department said on social media. "After a brief pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody."
That officer was transported with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries to a local hospital. The incident remains under investigation.
This is a developing story. More information will be added as it becomes available.
