Trooper dragged by car during Chelsea traffic stop; Dorchester man arrested

State Police report a passenger in a car that troopers had pulled over for motor-vehicle infractions last night got behind the wheel and started driving off - with a trooper who had tried to stop him dragged for several feet.

State Police say the incident happened at Congress and Pearl streets.

Troopers took the driver, later identified as Luis Cortez, 29, of Dorchester, out of the car. While this was occurring, the Camry’s front seat passenger jumped over the console and got into the driver’s seat, put the car in gear, and began to accelerate.

Troopers rushed to the car window to try to turn off the ignition. One of the troopers was briefly dragged before becoming disengaged from the car, which also nearly hit a Chelsea officer.

State Police say that in the confusion, both that passenger and a third man in the back seat, managed to run away.

Cortez, however, remained firmly under trooper control and is scheduled for arraignment today in Chelsea District Court on motor-vehicle and drug charges.

Innocent, etc.