WINSTON-SALEM, NC -- Police have arrested a second suspect involved in a case where a Winston-Salem Police Officer was run over after he was dragged during a traffic stop last week.
Police arrested Devonte Leon Hall on Friday in Kernersville. He was in the car with the other suspect Cheyenne Levette Thomas who was arrested on scene.
The assault happened last Monday around 4:20 p.m. when Officer James Mitchell pulled over a Kia Optima on Highway 52 South.
According to the police department, Officer Mitchell stopped the car due to insurance and registration violations.
When Officer Mitchell approached the car he said he could smell illegal drugs coming from the passenger side.
Mitchell says he asked Devonte Leon Hall, 24, to get out of the vehicle. When he did not, a struggle began between the two. While Officer Mitchell was partially inside the vehicle, the car started to pull away.
Police say Officer Mitchell was pulled along the car for a short distance. His foot was run-over by the car's back tire and he was eventually thrown from the vehicle.
"I started to run with the vehicle as I was trapped with the passenger, making a decision of how I was going to disengage with him," explains Officer Mitchell. "Getting injured by other passing vehicles. Eventually I was able to break free from the position of being dragged alongside the car."
Officer Mitchell was able to make it back to his car to call for assistance. He then began to pursue the suspect vehicle until it stopped at East Sprague Street. At that time Hall jumped out the car and ran from the scene. Police tried to track him down with a K-9 but were unable to find him.
Hall was arrested on Friday without resistance. He has been charged with Misdemeanor Assault on a Government Official, Resisting Arrest, and Careless and Reckless Driving.
"You never know what to expect," Mitchell tells. "Every call we respond to, everything we do on a daily basis, you never know what's going to happen in a split second. So you always have to be as prepared as you can be."
The driver, Cheyenne Levette Thomas was also arrested. She now faces 11 charges including, Assault on a Government Official, Reckless Driving to Endanger, and Fleeing to Elude an Arrest.
Officer Mitchell received minor scrapes and bruising, WSPD says he did not require any medical treatment.
