LAKEWOOD, Colo. -- A suspected drunk driver is accused of dragging a state trooper and then fleeing early Thursday morning.

The incident happened after trooper Bradley Fox made contact with the driver of a Jeep at West 6th Avenue and West Colfax Avenue in Golden around 2 a.m., according to Trooper David Hall. The trooper had stopped the driver on suspicion of DUI.

During the stop, the driver grabbed onto Fox and dragged him 50 to 100 feet, Hall said. The trooper was able to free himself and return to his patrol car, initiating a chase that reached speeds of 80 mph, according to Hall.

Fox was able to successfully perform a Tactical Vehicle Intervention maneuver on the suspect's vehicle, but the driver was able to flee again before other units boxed him in.

The suspect's vehicle fled eastbound onto West Colfax Avenue and lost control near Owens Court and crashed into a car dealership lot. Two of the cars hit at the DriveTime dealership were totalled.

The suspect had to be extricated from the overturned jeep. He was taken to St. Anthony's Central Hospital with moderate injuries.

The driver was identified by the state patrol as Jefferey Casey, 35, of Golden.

Fox was treated for minor injuries on the scene and was released.

Charges against Casey are pending.