ORLANDO, Fla. – Shocking body cam footage released this week shows an Orlando officer being dragged in a car by a suspect who was trying to flee, reportedly reaching speeds of 60mph.
On May 9, OPD Officer Sean Murphy pulled over 25-year-old Zavier Askew east of downtown Orlando. When Murphy noticed remnants of marijuana in Askew’s car, he asked the suspect to step out of his vehicle.
He does, and officers search the car, but Askew is not handcuffed.
Then all of a sudden he makes a jump back into the driver’s seat. Murphy gives chase, wrestling with the suspect to try and stop him. But Askew throws the car into drive, taking off while Murphy hung on for his life.
The car speeds off with Askew partially in the vehicle. The suspect reportedly hit speeds of nearly 60mph while he fled. Amazingly, the officer held on.
Murphy later said that he was afraid his legs would be crushed.
Officer Murphy can be heard pleading with Askew to give up. “Dude, you’re killing me. Stop, stop. This is attempted murder,” he said.
The footage shows Askew continuing to speed down the back roads. Murphy calls out, “It’s a dead end, you’re going to crash!”
Authorities say Askew eventually hits a parked car in the dead end road. Murphy said that he had to pull his legs as close to his body as he could to avoid getting pinned.
“Stop. It’s over, just relax,” Murphy says calmly as he instructs the suspect to put the car in park.
Once the vehicle comes to a stop, officers that gave chase assist in getting Askew out of the car, onto the ground, and into custody.
Askew now faces charges of attempted first-degree murder of a law enforcement officer, kidnapping, and more. He is being held in Orange County Jail without bond.
The released body cam video can be seen here.
The fact that officer Murphy walked away from this situation is nothing short of an absolute miracle. The suspect showed no regard for his safety as he flew down neighborhood streets.
