Officer dragged by suspect, injured in crash during pursuit

BERRIEN COUNTY, Mich. -- A Berrien County Road Commission Weighmaster was injured in a crash following a pursuit of a driver he stopped, according to Michigan State Police.

Around 12:15 Tuesday, Berrien County Weighmaster Goulooze stopped a vehicle for disregarding a traffic control device.

While speaking with the driver, the driver fled, dragging the officer.

After he freed himself, he returned to his patrol car and followed the suspect.

As he pursued the suspect north on County Line Road, the officer lost control of his vehicle. It ran off the road and overturned on 70th Street near 48th Avenue.

The officer was injured and transported to the hospital. He was treated and released.

The suspect's vehicle was located abandoned and investigators learned the suspect fled into a wooded area in Van Buren County, police said.

A Berrien County K9 located the suspect hiding in the woods.  

The suspect, a 42 year old male from Watervliet, was taken into custody on preliminary charges of Fleeing and Eluding, OWI 3rd Offense and DWLS 2nd Offense.  

Michigan State Troopers were assisted by the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office, and Berrien County Sheriff's Office, Watervliet Police, Covert Police and the Pokagon Tribal Police.