Driver accused of attempted murder after officer dragged through Century Village

A Pembroke Pines police officer was dragged for a half-mile through the streets of Century Village Tuesday after he reached into a car to stop a suspected drugged driver from fleeing and possibly endangering others on the road, authorities said.

Officer Jon Cusack held on for his life as the driver, with his fiance also in the car, sped through the retirement community, police said.

Cusack had been investigating a possible overdose of a man and woman who were inside a black Honda sedan parked on Southwest 125th Avenue.

The pair were asleep or unconscious, and there was a baggie with an unknown substance that could be seen in the car, said Pembroke Pines Police Capt. Al Xiques.

Cusack reached inside the Honda, but driver Thomas Cabrera, 38, gunned the engine and took off, Xiques said.

As the Honda approached the community’s gate at Pines Boulevard and Southwest129th Avenue, Cusack decided it was the best place for him to let go, Xiques said.

Surveillance video released by police showed the Honda was being followed by traffic as the officer fell to the pavement.

He was able to roll out of the path of oncoming cars.

The agency also released Cusack’s body cam footage that shows the initial encounter with Cabrera.

Cusack’s injuries were serious but not life-threatening. Paramedics took him to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood, and on Tuesday night, he was awaiting surgery for “significant road rash injuries” to his arms and legs, according to Xiques and an arrest report.

“The irony is that officers all the time respond to save the life of a perfect stranger,” Xiques said. “The outcome was that the officer almost ended up losing his life.”

Cabrera later admitted to police that he tried to pry Cusack’s fingers from the door frame, the arrest report said. Cabrera, who lives in Century Village, intentionally drove toward a Pembroke Pines Fire-Rescue ambulance that was called to treat a possible overdose patient, but the ambulance driver was able to avoid a crash, police said.

Cabrera was arrested on charges of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer; fleeing and eluding; driving with a suspended license and reckless driving.

He admitted using cocaine and heroin before Cusack arrived at his parked car, the arrest report said.

Police say after Cusack let go of the Honda, Cabrera led squad cars on a 20-mile chase in Broward County.

The Honda drove west along Pines Boulevard in the eastbound lanes before heading north on Interstate 75 and then east, along Interstate 595.

In rush hour traffic, the Honda reached speeds of approximately 105 mph, sometimes while driving along the shoulder.

It was followed through several cities by police officers from several departments and a helicopter from the Broward Sheriff ’s Office.

Shortly after 9:05 a.m. near the exit to State Road 7/U.S. 441 in Davie, the Honda was slowed by commuter traffic and was boxed in by police.

Officers approached the car with guns drawn, pulled Cabrera out and put him in handcuffs.

Police did not identify the woman riding with him, who was not arrested or charged with any offense.

There were syringes and other drug-related items on the driver’s seat, according to the report. The investigation is continuing, Xiques said.

Cusack has been with Pembroke Pines Police for 19 years. He is assigned to road patrol as a field training officer and is a member of the department’s crisis response team.