Woman drags officer into car, crashes into several vehicles

GASTONIA, N.C. — A police officer was pulled into a woman's car and driven around on a dangerous crash course in Gastonia Monday night.

The officer said he has dealt with the woman, Amanda Mitchem, in the past and saw her leaving the Dress Barn with stolen merchandise around 6 p.m.

When he tried to arrest Mitchem, she pulled him into the car and then crashed into his police cruiserbefore backing up and wrecking into three other vehicles.

"It was pretty bad," said Lisa Reynolds, whose car was hit. "I'm just glad I wasn't in it, you know. You never know what these things happen for."

Police said the officer managed to get out of the car before Mitchem drove off.

Police caught her when she ended up on a dead-end road a short time later. A passenger in her car was taken to the hospital and should be OK.

Mitchem is in the Gaston County jail and will appear in court Tuesday.

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WSOC