Bradenton Police Officer Injured After Being Dragged by Fleeing Driver During Traffic Stop

A Bradenton Police officer was injured late Tuesday night after being dragged by a fleeing driver during a traffic stop on Martin Luther King Avenue East.

At approximately 11:35 p.m. on May 20, Officer Shane Sharp attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation in the 1200 block of Martin Luther King Ave E. The driver, later identified as 19-year-old Lenny Macias-Rangel, initially pulled over but refused repeated commands—12 in total—to shut off the vehicle.

As Officer Sharp reached into the car to shift it into park, Macias-Rangel suddenly accelerated, pinning the officer’s torso against the dashboard and dragging him roughly 150 feet before crashing into a pole. A second officer had just arrived on the scene to assist moments before the vehicle sped off.

Following the crash, Macias-Rangel continued to resist arrest and allegedly struck several officers before being subdued. He was evaluated by medical personnel and cleared for transport to the Manatee County jail.

Officer Sharp sustained a concussion, a separated shoulder, and minor leg injuries. He was rushed to the hospital in a patrol car and was released Wednesday morning to recover at home.

After obtaining a search warrant, the Bradenton Police Department’s Crime Reduction Team discovered more than a kilogram of marijuana and 62 THC vape cartridges inside the vehicle.

Macias-Rangel is facing multiple felony charges, including two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, four counts of battery on law enforcement, resisting with violence, fleeing to elude, possession with intent to sell a controlled substance, and driving with a suspended license.

Authorities also confirmed that Macias-Rangel has a prior criminal history, including arrests for domestic battery, violating a domestic violence injunction, fleeing law enforcement, and previous license-related offenses.

The investigation remains ongoing.