A traffic stop turned violent Friday night when a drug suspect attempted to flee in his car, dragging a sheriff’s office drug unit investigator with him.

“He’s lucky to be alive,” said Capt. Russell Davenport, head of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office drug unit.

Davenport said the traffic stop began like any other: investigators had warrants for Vinson Burke Dixon Jr., 45, of Grimes Way, Aurora, and spotted his vehicle on N.C. Highway 306 South, near the Pamlico County line. The warrants were for a series of controlled buys of cocaine made by investigators from Dixon, according to a press release from the drug unit. Investigator Greg Rowe, the unit’s diversion officer, approached the vehicle, along with other investigators,

“He was at the driver’s window and told the guy to get out, and (Dixon) had the wheel turned all the way left,” Davenport said.

Instead of getting out of the minivan, Dixon hit the accelerator, hitting Rowe in his attempt to flee, according to officials.

“He crossed he road, dragged Greg all the way the ditch, then landed in the ditch,” Davenport said.

Sheriff’s office criminal investigators were called to the scene, and Dixon was charged with three counts of possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, attempted first degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon on a government official and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury.

He was held at the Beaufort County Detention Center under a $1 million bond.

“Drug dealers are violent, and this is a prime example. It is a violent crime and this is just proof of it right here. This guy was trying to get away from a drug crime and almost killed an officer,” Davenport said. “We’re just glad it turned out like it did. Greg is okay, but it could have gone bad quick. He’s really lucky the way it happened. He’s lucky to be alive.”

Rowe was treated at Vidant Beaufort Hospital and released the same night.