Indiana officer fires on suspect while being dragged by van

MUNCIE, Ind. (AP) - Authorities in eastern Indiana say a police officer being dragged by a van shot and injured one of several fleeing drug suspects inside the vehicle.

Muncie Police Chief Steve Stewart says officers pulled the van over Friday as part of a drug investigation.

He says that when one of the officers tried to open the van's side door the driver sped off, dragging the officer for about 280 feet.

Stewart says that the officer fired his weapon and wounded the driver, who then leapt from the van.

The (Muncie) Star Press reports (http://tspne.ws/1VNkR8u ) that officer was hospitalized for scrapes and broken bones and released later.

The driver was caught and hospitalized in critical condition. The two other suspects were also hospitalized for injuries suffered while jumping from the van.

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Information from: The Star Press, http://www.thestarpress.com