A driver stopped by a Massachusetts State Police trooper punched the officer in the face and pushed his head into the pavement during a violent struggle, police said.
Devin Fuller, 29, of Boston, was initially pulled over after he was clocked going 81 miles an hour in a 55-mph zone on Interstate 93 southbound in Randolph around 2:27 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.
A Massachusetts state trooper followed Fuller onto Route 24 southbound toward Stoughton, police said, where Fuller was stopped. Upon being pulled over, it was discovered Fuller had been driving with a suspended license stemming from an immediate threat notification three days earlier.
The driver refused to leave his car, punched the trooper and reached toward the center console, police said. The trooper, fearing the driver could be retrieving a weapon, pulled him out.
Once outside the vehicle, Fuller allegedly repeatedly struck the trooper before tackling him to the ground and driving his face into the pavement, police said.
Back on his feet, the trooper was allegedly grabbed by Fuller and pushed 15 to 20 feet into oncoming traffic, causing a driver to switch lanes to avoid striking the trooper, authorities said. Fuller and the trooper continued fighting on the ground, police said, as Fuller allegedly tried to grab the trooper's weapon.
Local
In-depth news coverage of the Greater Boston Area.
An off-duty trooper who was driving by observed the fracas and pulled over to provide assistance. At this point, Fuller is said to have sped off in his car, at speeds around 140 mph, weaving across lanes before exiting onto Route 139 in Stoughton.
After calling for backup, the trooper, who'd pursued Fuller, noticed him pull off into an industrial park. A Massachusetts State Police K-9 unit and the trooper who had been assaulted pursued Fuller through a wooded area, police said, before he was finally placed under arrest by Stoughton police behind a Hampton Inn & Suites on Page Street.
A search of Fuller's car revealed a bottle of Hydrocodone pills, a small amount of marijuana and three THC edible packets, authorities said. Plastic bags consistent with packaging and distribution of illegal narcotics were also discovered, according to police.
Fuller, who was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail, was transferred to Ash Street Jail in New Bedford. He is facing a list of charges including assault with intent to murder, assault and battery on a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, failure to stop for police, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, reckless operation of a motor vehicle, resisting arrest, possession of a Class D narcotic with intent to distribute, possession of a Class C narcotic with intent to distribute, operating after license suspension, speeding and disturbing the peace.
He is due to appear in Stoughton District Court on Monday. It wasn't immediately known if he had a lawyer. A number couldn't be found for him.
The trooper who was injured was treated for contusions and lacerations to his head and upper body and a lower body injury at Milton Hospital. No update has been given on his condition.
Fuller declined medical attention, authorities said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
