Wichita Falls Man Accused of Dragging Officer During Traffic Stop Faces Multiple Felony Charges

WICHITA FALLS, Texas. – A routine traffic stop escalated into a violent encounter Sunday evening when a driver allegedly dragged a Wichita Falls police officer with his vehicle before fleeing, according to the Wichita Falls Police Department.

The incident occurred at approximately 7:15 p.m. on July 12 near Holliday Road and 24th Street.

Police said Officer Parsons observed a silver Toyota RAV4 fail to come to a complete stop at a stop sign and initiated a traffic stop. The vehicle pulled into the parking lot of 2120 Holliday Road.

The driver, identified as 55-year-old Jose Antonio Ruiz, reportedly told the officer he had recently purchased the vehicle and did not have insurance or proof of registration.

According to investigators, Officer Parsons asked Ruiz whether he could obtain insurance for the vehicle. Police said Ruiz then suddenly shifted the vehicle into drive. The officer reached inside in an attempt to stop the vehicle but was unsuccessful.

Authorities said Ruiz accelerated, striking Officer Parsons with the driver’s side window area and dragging him approximately 150 feet before the officer was able to break free.

While the officer was being dragged, Ruiz allegedly punched him in the face several times, leaving him with a bloody and swollen nose, according to police.

Ruiz then fled northbound on Holliday Road.

Detectives with the Crimes Against Persons Unit and members of the Special Operations Unit responded to assist in the search. Ruiz was later found hiding inside an abandoned house in the 1600 block of Huff Street, where he was taken into custody without further incident.

Ruiz has been charged with aggravated assault against a public servant, a first-degree felony, and evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, a third-degree felony.

Investigators also discovered Ruiz was wanted on a parole violation warrant, an unauthorized use of a vehicle warrant, a failure to appear warrant and a warrant for failing to stop at a designated stop sign.

He was booked into the Wichita County Law Enforcement Center.

Officer Parsons was treated at United Regional Hospital and later released.