Virginia police officer dragged by car dies from injuries

A police officer in Virginia has died after being dragged by a vehicle trying to escape a traffic stop, police said. The Newport News police officer had stopped a car Thursday just before 7 pm near Monitor-Merrimac Overlook Park before getting out to speak with the driver, the department wrote in a statement.

The motorist then accelerated "at some point during the encounter," dragging her along with the car, the statement said. The officer was taken to a hospital where she later died from her injuries.

The vehicle crashed nearby and the driver was taken into custody, police told news outlets. The officer and the driver weren't immediately identified. The investigation is ongoing. No additional details were immediately released.