Body camera video shows driver drag Bradenton officer before crash, police say
A 19-year-old driver faces several felony charges after he dragged a Bradenton police officer more than 100 feet while trying to flee a traffic stop Tuesday night, police said.
The Bradenton Police Department said Lenny Macias-Rangel drove off during the stop, pinning Officer Shane Sharp’s body against the dashboard inside the car and dragging him before crashing into a pole.
Sharp attempted to pull Macias-Rangel over around 11:35 p.m. Tuesday after witnessing a traffic violation in the 1200 block of Martin Luther King Avenue East, police said. Sharp followed the vehicle for several blocks before it came to a stop, according to police.
According to a news release, Sharp asked Macias-Rangel 12 times to turn off the engine because he was concerned the driver might flee. Body camera footage released by police showed Sharp questioning Macias-Rangel as he attempted to get him to shut off the engine to his car.
“Turn the car off for me,” Sharp says. “I don’t know if you’re going to take off. It took you a while to stop. Turn the car off.”
Macias-Rangel refused in the video, telling the officer, “I’m scared. My mom is waiting for me at home… You’ve got a gun.”
Video shows Bradenton officer dragged
When Macias-Rangel refused, police said Sharp opened the driver’s door and reached inside to try to shift the vehicle into park. Macias-Rangel then hit the gas, pulling Sharp into the vehicle and pinning his torso against the dashboard, according to the agency. Police said Macias-Rangel then sped off and traveled about 150 feet before crashing into a pole.
After the crash, body camera footage shows Sharp crawling on his hands and knees and struggling to stand.
A second officer ran to assist during the struggle but couldn’t stop the vehicle before the crash, police said.
Several officers responded to the scene, where police said Macias-Rangel resisted arrest and struck multiple officers before being taken into custody. He was evaluated for injuries and received medical clearance before being taken to the Manatee County jail, according to police.
Police said officers rushed Sharp to the hospital where he was treated for a concussion, a separated shoulder and other arm injuries, as well as minor injuries to his legs. He was released Wednesday morning and is recovering at home, according to the department.
Bradenton man faces multiple charges
Detectives with the BPD’s Crime Reduction Team searched Macias-Rangel’s vehicle and found more than a kilogram of marijuana and 62 THC vape cartridges, according to a news release.
Macias-Rangel faces charges of two counts of aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, four counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, resisting an officer with violence, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, possession with intent to sell or deliver a controlled substance and driving while license suspended, revoked, canceled or disqualified. Police said it was his second offense for driving with a suspended license.
Macias-Rangel’s arrest history includes charges of domestic battery, violating a domestic violence injunction, fleeing to elude law enforcement, leaving the scene of a crash involving unattended property and driving with a suspended or revoked license, according to police.
As of Thursday afternoon, Macias-Rangel remains in custody at the Manatee County jail on $31,000 bond, according to the sheriff’s office website.
The investigation is ongoing, police said.
This story was originally published May 23, 2025 at 5:50 AM.
