Man accused of dragging DPS trooper with his SUV in Hunt County takes responsibilty
A man accused of assaulting a state trooper with his vehicle sat down with FOX4 Thursday and took full responsibility for his actions.
"I put myself in this situation so I can't complain to anyone else other than myself,” Matthias Slaughter told FOX4 from his cell in the Hood County Jail.
Police say Slaughter, 30, was pulled over in Greenville on Tuesday night on suspicion of DWI. That’s when the situation started to go south.
"He was getting ready to handcuff me, and I just took off running back to the car," Slaughter said.
Police say the trooper tried to stop Slaughter from getting away and was dragged for nearly 100 yards by Slaughter’s SUV. The trooper was able to free himself and shot Slaughter, causing his SUV to hit the median.
"I didn't know I got shot," Slaughter said.
Slaughter and the trooper fought as he tried to escape the wrecked vehicle.
"He moved the wheel,” Slaughter said. “It was a move like MacGyver but you know he did his job. He was a super trooper, I got to give them that."
Sober and in a jail cell, Slaughter wishes he would have acted differently.
"For the rest of my life I'll have to look at this huge hole in my arm,” Slaughter said. “So, it'll be a constant reminder of that one day for a stupid decision that went awry."
The Texas Department of Public Safety has not named the trooper that was involved in the incident, but he is expected to make a full recovery.
"It's a little embarrassing to know that so many people already know about it and stuff so, for the most part I just hope the deputy is all right,” Slaughter said. “That's all that matters to me. This is something that I caused on my own."
Slaughter faces charges of assault on a public servant, evading arrest or detention with a vehicle and driving while intoxicated.