ORLANDO, Fla. — A 19-year-old man is facing attempted murder charges after the Florida Highway Patrol said he dragged a trooper for 100 feet by car during a traffic stop near downtown Orlando Thursday morning.
An Orange County judge ruled Friday that Christopher Lewis, 19, will remain behind bars and not be granted bond.
The whole incident that spurred his arrest was caught on dashcam.
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FHP said Trooper Victor Rivera, 29, attempted to stop a white 2014 Toyota Corolla headed west on State Road 50 just west of Orange Avenue around 3 a.m. for going more than 80 mph in a 40 mph construction zone with workers present.
Troopers said the driver of the Corolla, identified as Elijah Wilson, 22, was forced to stop near the train tracks due to an incoming train, and then got out of the car and fled on foot.
FHP said Rivera chased Wilson on foot and eventually ended up back at the car, where a passenger in the car had moved into the driver’s seat.
FHP said as Rivera tried to detain the man at the car, the passenger, Lewis, started to drive away, dragging both the original driver and the trooper for roughly 100 feet.
Construction worker Joe Perez saw the incident unfold and did what he could to assist.
"The car was stopping and going," said Perez. "I ran alongside of him, hollering 'hey, stop the car.'"
Dashcam video later showed Perez help the trooper gather his equipment that scattered and bring it back to his patrol car.
FHP said Rivera, who's been a trooper in Orlando for four years, was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, including abrasions, bumps and bruises. Troopers said he is now resting at home.
Troopers said Thursday afternoon that they have located three people involved in the case and arrested Lewis, of Apopka, on charges of attempted first-degree murder.
"Mr. Lewis was originally the front right passenger in the Toyota when the vehicle stopped," FHP Lt. Kim Montes said. "He took control of the vehicle and dragged both the trooper and the suspect."
Watch video of the incident below:
"Troopers have also identified the original driver and a juvenile that was in the back seat," Montes said. "The driver is cooperating with troopers. The juvenile was released to his parents after being charged with obstruction for lying."
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The juvenile, whose identity was not publicly disclosed, will make an appearance in juvenile court on an unknown date, she said.
Troopers said Wilson, the original driver, was not placed under arrest, but was given a notice to appear in court.
The incident remains under investigation.
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