Officer Shoots, Kills Suspects While Being Dragged By Stolen Car

A police officer, his hand trapped in the door of a stolen car, shot and killed two of its occupants Wednesday as he was dragged nearly a mile.

The flesh on one of Officer John Wilbur’s legs was scraped to the bone as he bounced repeatedly from the street to the trunk of the speeding car, police said.

Wilbur, 28, was in serious condition after four hours of surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.

The two passengers - Maurice Hall, 20, and Craig Guest, 19, both of Pittsburgh - died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Allegheny County Coroner’s office.

The car’s driver fled after stopping the car. Police were using dogs and a helicopter with a heat-seeking device in their search.

Wilbur, a three-year veteran, was investigating a report of a suspicious car in the city’s Shadyside neighborhood sometime after 2 a.m. when the car’s occupants apparently slammed the left rear door on his left hand.

The officer’s wedding ring kept him from freeing himself, police said.

The vehicle then sped off, dragging Wilbur for four-fifths of a mile while the officer fired at the car’s occupants with his free hand.

His gun, handcuffs, belt and nightstick eventually fell away during the getaway.

It was not immediately known if Wilbur fell from the car while it was moving or after it came to rest.

A .45-caliber handgun was found inside the car. Police said the weapon had not been fired.