Clayton County officer dragged during traffic stop, suspect still at large

Authorities have identified the driver accused of dragging a Clayton County police officer during a traffic stop on Wednesday as 59-year-old Christopher Harold Lovett, according to FOX 5 Atlanta and Atlanta News First.

The incident occurred around 2:15 p.m. near the intersection of Garden Walk Boulevard and Medical Center Drive, adjacent to Charles R. Drew High School in Riverdale. During the stop, the driver accelerated and dragged the officer along with the vehicle.

Emergency crews transported the officer to Grady Memorial Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The officer has since been released and is recovering at home, as reported by both news outlets.

Clayton County Police recovered the suspect's vehicle but Lovett escaped on foot and remains at large. Authorities have described Lovett as 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing about 220 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, and have urged the public not to approach him.

Clayton County Public Schools confirmed that the police response temporarily closed a major roadway near Drew High School but no students or staff were involved, and the campus was not placed on lockdown.

Officials have not released further details about the incident or the officer's identity. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Clayton County Police.