SAN ANTONIO – A police officer was injured when a suspected drunk driver who passed out in a Whataburger drive-thru took off.
It happened before 5 a.m. Sunday in the 18300 block of Blanco Road, just outside Loop 1604.
The officer parked in front of the driver, assuming the man had his car in drive, police said.
"In an attempt to get the vehicle turned off, the officer reached into the passenger side and was attempting to turn off the vehicle. The driver suddenly woke up and punched on the gas and the vehicle went in reverse approximately 15 to 20 yards," said Officer Doug Greene.
The officer was still caught up in the car and was dragged until the car hit tree.
She had cuts and bruises on her arms, legs and face, and was taken to University Hospital for treatment.
A DWI officer went to the scene, and arrested the driver on suspicion of DWI.
Police are looking into whether he was startled or tried to flee, which would lead to more charges.
Police said the accident was at least the third time in two weeks that an officer had been dragged or nearly hit by a car when a driver took off.
The injured officer is a three-year veteran of the department with military training and training as a volunteer firefighter.
She had a cadet riding with her at the time.
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