A routine traffic stop in Eustis, Florida, devolved into a violent encounter Saturday morning when a suspect allegedly drove off with an officer inside his vehicle and dragged another officer who was clinging to the car.
The suspect, identified as 28-year-old Shakoi Donovan, was pulled over on suspicion of driving under the influence after officers observed his silver Infiniti weaving and crossing a yellow line. According to a police report, officers approached Donovan's vehicle, which was running, and repeatedly asked him to exit.
When Donovan did not comply, officers opened the car door and attempted to physically remove him. At that moment, Donovan allegedly accelerated, trapping one officer between himself and the steering wheel. Body camera footage captured the officer yelling, "He's taking off Eustis 77 is in the car!"
A second officer, who was holding onto the vehicle, was dragged approximately 10 to 15 feet down the roadway before falling. Video from another officer's body camera shows the second officer lying on the ground after tumbling multiple times across the asphalt. He was treated for injuries sustained during the incident.
Donovan is now facing a series of charges, including attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, and resisting arrest with violence. Court records indicate Donovan has prior arrests in Lake County, Florida, including charges for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in May and burglary and battery charges in 2022.
Donovan remained in jail as of Friday and is scheduled for a court appearance on August 24.