A Wood County deputy was struck by a vehicle and dragged several yards Tuesday during an extortion investigation.
The Wood County Sheriff’s Office said detectives were conducting surveillance as part of an extortion investigation when a vehicle arrived at the predetermined location to retrieve money as part of the demands. Once the money exchanged hands, a Wood County detective approached the vehicle identifying himself as a law enforcement officer and commanding the driver, Kyle Scott Drake, of Elizabeth, out of the vehicle. A news release said Drake is accused of then putting his vehicle in drive and attempting to flee, striking the detective in the chest with his driver’s side mirror. The detective instinctively grabbed the mirror and was dragged about 40 yards while continuing to command Drake to stop the vehicle.
The detective was eventually able to fire one shot at Drake, striking him in the right upper arm and eventually leading to the vehicle coming to a stop. Drake was arrested on one charge of attempted murder. Our partners at Eyewitness News said more charges against Drake are expected. The detective was treated and released from a local hospital. He has been replaced on light duty until the conclusion of the investigation.