updated 11:49am Friday  

WELLSTON, Mo. (KMOX) - St. Louis County Police are asking for the public’s help in finding a person of interest who may be linked to an early-morning traffic stop, where a Wellston police officer was dragged a short distance.

It happened shortly before 3 o’clock this morning (Fri) when police responded to a report of a suspicious car at Sparta Court and Robert Powell.

When they located the car, an officer opened the passenger door and leaned in — at which point the driver floored it.

The officer was dragged a short distance, but his gun went off striking a passenger.

That passenger was dropped off at St. Mary’s hospital about an hour later.

St. Louis County police say they are looking for 22-year-old Devin Smith, the driver of a Kia Optima, with Missouri license FG5 S4R.

Copyright KMOX Radio

our earlier story:

WELLSTON, Mo. (KMOX) -  The search is on for a driver who sped off during a traffic stop, dragging a Wellston police officer a short distance.

It happened shortly before 3 a.m. Friday when officers responded to a report of a suspicious car at Sparta Court and Robert Powell.

When they located the car an officer opened the passenger door and leaned in, at which point the driver floored it.

The officer was dragged a short distance, but his gun went off striking a passenger.

That passenger was dropped off at St. Mary’s hospital about an hour later.

A search for the driver of the black Kia Optima continues.

The police officer was treated for minor injuries.

Copyright KMOX Radio