Man who dragged Scottsdale officer released from hospital, booked

PHOENIX – The man whose behavior during a routine traffic stop in Scottsdale over the weekend led to a shooting, a pursuit and a crash was released from the hospital Tuesday and taken into custody, authorities said.

The Scottsdale Police Department said 26-year-old Joseph Rudolph Zamora was being held on multiple felony charges, including aggravated assault on a police officer, felony flight and endangerment.

At around 11:30 p.m. Sunday, Zamora was stopped by an 11-year Scottsdale Police veteran at Cactus Road and 74th Street.

He failed to follow the officer’s instructions and behaved erratically, according to a police news release. As the officer tried to restrain him, Zamora drove away, dragging the officer for several yards.

The vehicle then spun around and drove toward the officer, who fired his weapon at the driver.

Responding officers started after the car but called off the pursuit because of the suspect’s dangerous driving behavior.

Zamora was apprehended after he collided with another vehicle at 32nd Street and Broadway Road in Phoenix, around 20 miles away.

He was hospitalized for injuries suffered in the crash and wasn’t struck by the officer’s bullets. Occupants in the other vehicle suffered only minor injuries.

The intersection was closed most of Monday morning while the accident was being investigated.

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