New Canaan Police Officer Dragged 35 Feet by Motorist Reported as Suicidal

New Canaan police say they arrested a man for assault on an officer and other charges Thursday night after he stepped on the gas of his car during an unusual motor vehicle stop, dragging an officer 35 feet before crashing into a snow bank.

Police blocked Old Stamford Road at Weed Street Thursday night, after a motorist reported as suicidal dragged an officer 35 feet after police stopped his vehicle north of Weed. Credit: Michael Dinan

The officer—Lt. Fred Pickering, a 28-year veteran of the department who also is a volunteer coach in youth sports and lifelong resident of the town—sustained injuries to his knees, neck and back, has been treated and released from Norwalk Hospital, according to Sgt. Carol Ogrinc, public information officer of the New Canaan Police Department.

The incident occurred shortly after 6:10 p.m. on Route 106/Old Stamford Road north of Weed Street, according to a press release from Ogrinc.

Lt. Fred Pickering

A 9-1-1 caller told police that someone threatening suicide was driving on Old Stamford Road with his headlights off, Ogrinc said. Officers identified a 2004 VW Jetta, stopped the car and approached, with no view of the driver’s hands or any knowledge about whether he had a weapon, Ogrinc said.

“The operator would not roll the window down or unlock the door,” she said. “An officer broke the window to gain access to the operator. As officers reached in to remove the operator’s seat belt, the operator took his foot off the brake and pressed the accelerator. The operator was pulled from the vehicle and while the vehicle was in motion the officer’s arm was caught in the seat belt.”

Police took the driver, Erik Kuranko, into custody and transported him to Norwalk Hospital. They found a knife in the center console, Ogrinc said.

Kuranko was charged with assault on a police officer, interfering with a police officer, weapon in a motor vehicle and reckless driving. He was held on $15,000 bond.

New Canaan Volunteer Ambulance Corps had transported Pickering to the hospital, she said. He is at home recovering.

Police closed 106 between Weed and Lapham Road on Thursday while they cleared the scene and had a tow truck take away the Jetta.