Trooper Dragged Under Car in Wild Boynton Beach Mall Chase

A high-speed chase through Boynton Beach on Tuesday ended in chaos when a Florida Highway Patrol trooper was dragged under a fleeing driver’s vehicle before the suspect bolted into a nearby apartment complex, according to police. Officers say the pursuit cut through multiple neighborhoods before the driver ditched his car near the Boynton Beach Mall and tried to disappear on foot.

Bodycam Shows Trooper Dragged Under Car

Body-worn camera video released to reporters captures the tense takedown attempt as officers shout, "On the ground! On the ground now!" while trying to detain the driver, according to WPBF. Police say the trooper was dragged roughly 15 feet before the vehicle finally stopped and the suspect ran off.

High-Speed Pursuits Under Scrutiny in South Florida

The chase comes at a time when high-speed pursuits and trooper traffic stops are already under a microscope in Palm Beach County, with critics and supporters trading arguments over how far officers should go to stop fleeing drivers. WLRN has reported on how these stops and pursuit tactics have fueled calls for policy reviews across the region.

Suspect Identified and Charged

Boynton Beach police identified the suspect as 34-year-old Devontea Stubbs of Riviera Beach and say he was booked on a charge of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, according to WPBF. Investigators say Stubbs abandoned his car near the mall and was tracked by a K-9 unit into the SeaLofts community.

Police say a records check showed he had no valid driver’s license and 11 suspensions on his history, and that an active warrant tied to a previous burglary case led to his arrest.

Legal Implications

Because the alleged victim is a trooper, the case carries added legal weight. Florida law allows certain assault and battery charges to be “reclassified” when a law enforcement officer is involved, increasing the potential penalties. Per the Florida Statutes, aggravated battery on an officer is treated as an enhanced felony, with significantly higher sentencing exposure than an ordinary battery charge.

Authorities did not immediately release additional details about the trooper’s condition, and investigators say the case remains active. Police asked anyone with information to contact the Boynton Beach Police Department's non-emergency line.