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Woman dragged, loses 40% of skin
By Diana Walsh
OF THE EXAMINER STAFF
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OAKLAND — A 37-year-old woman had more than 40 percent of
her skin scraped off after a driver tried to push her out
of his car and sped away — dragging her screaming for
nearly 20 blocks, police said.
"Officers who saw her said they could see holes in her
body. I believe they saw holes in her foot, knee and her
arms as well," said Sgt. Jim Rullamas of the Oakland Police
Department.
The harrowing incident began around 5:30 Sunday morning after the woman, who was standing at the corner of 61st Avenue and International Boulevard, accepted a ride from 40- year-old Mitchell Smith, whom she had never met before, police said.
Police said the two apparently smoked crack cocaine as they drove around in Smith's green 1998 Dodge Stratus. After an hour, the woman asked to be dropped off where she had been picked up.
The two then got into an argument, and as the car was stopped on the 6100 block of International Boulevard, the woman tried to get out. As she was taking off her seat belt, Smith allegedly pushed her out the door and slammed it behind her, leaving the woman entangled in the seat belt.
"She starts yelling and he drives off with her dragging," said Lt. John Denson. "Apparently the more she screams the faster he's driving."
According to what witnesses told police, Smith reached speeds of 50 to 60 mph and weaved in and out of traffic with the woman skidding along the street.
The woman, whose name was not released, was dragged nearly 20 blocks to 44th Avenue and International Boulevard before freeing herself from the seat belt.
"By that time, her flesh had been scraped off ... 40 percent of her body has flesh missing," said Denson.
At that point, another driver who spotted the horrifying scene called 911. An emergency dispatcher instructed him to keep following the car and turn on his emergency flashers, which allowed the California Highway Patrol to locate Smith's car on Interstate 880. He was arrested without incident.
Smith was arrested on charges of attempted murder, being under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs while driving, and possessing narcotic paraphernalia, police said. He is being held at the Oakland City Jail.
According to police, Smith has a criminal past. Although they would not release details of his record, they did say it did not include a history of violence.
The woman, who lost most of the skin on her back and legs, was conscious and in serious but stable condition Monday morning at Highland Hospital in Oakland.
"It seems like horrific injuries, something that will be with you the rest of your life," said Denson. "I'm sure there will be skin grafts and a lot of horrible treatment to be functional."
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