Man accused of dragging cop by car charged

HOUSTON

Joe Edd Fitzgerald is charged with aggravated assault of a police officer. Houston Police Officer J. Kneipp had pulled over Fitzgerald around 5pm Monday afternoon on the westbound lanes of Interstate 10 near Highway 59.

Kneipp followed Fitzgerald after a civilian called the police to report him as a possible DUI suspect.

Fitzgerald initially tried to ignore police, but he eventually pulled over.

As Kneipp tried to arrest Fitzgerald, he allegedly accelerated, and Kneipp got caught between the vehicle and a guardrail. Kneipp was dragged for about 500 to 800 feet.

Fitzgerald was immediately arrested, and Kneipp was transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital, where he was treated for a leg injury and released.

Fitzgerald also was convicted of rape in 2000.