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Lawrenceville Police arrest man accused of dragging officer during escape

The Lawrenceville Police Department arrested the James Grant Hoyle who drove away from a traffic stop in Lawrenceville and dragged a police officer to the ground.

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — The Lawrenceville Police Department has arrested a man who drove off and dragged a police officer to the ground during a traffic stop Monday.

Police arrested James Grant Hoyle, Tuesday morning, on charges related to reckless driving, failure to obey a traffic control device, fleeing or attempting to elude police and willful obstruction of law enforcement, according to Gwinnett County Jail records. 

While working at an intersection during a power outage, an officer made contact with Hoyle's vehicle when he did not stop at the intersection as a four-way stop.

Officer Brendan Branning noticed a strong smell of marijuana coming from Hoyle's vehicle and noticed a bong and marijuana, according to a police report from the Lawrenceville Police Department. 

As Branning went to the rear of the vehicle to get the tag number, he said he noticed Hoyle reach down for either a weapon or to place the car in drive. 

Hoyle drove off with Officer Branning's uniform caught on the vehicle, pulling him to the ground and dragging him for a short distance, according to police.

Hoyle drove away from the scene and had previous warrants for probation violation and failure to appear.

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