Durham Man Accused of Dragging Cary Police Officer With Car Faces Multiple Felony Charges

CARY, N.C. — A routine encounter on a busy Wake County roadway escalated into a dangerous confrontation Tuesday, as a Durham man is accused of using his vehicle to drag two Cary police officers—leading to multiple felony charges and an ongoing investigation.

Incident Unfolds on NC-55

According to court records, Damian Charles Awkward was driving a 2023 Toyota Corolla on NC-55 when the incident occurred.

Authorities say the situation quickly escalated during an interaction with officers.

• Awkward is accused of attempting to drive away while officers were engaged with him
• One officer reported being inside the vehicle attempting to remove him at the time

Allegations of Assault With a Vehicle

An arrest warrant details the severity of the encounter.

An officer stated Awkward was:

“Attempting to place the vehicle in drive to strike or drag me… while I was inside the vehicle trying to remove him.”

The actions led to charges that classify the vehicle as a deadly weapon in the alleged assault.

Charges Filed

Awkward now faces a total of seven charges, including:

• Two counts of assault on a government official with a deadly weapon
• Felony possession of cocaine
• Misdemeanor resisting a public officer
• Misdemeanor possession of marijuana

Investigation Continues

Details about the incident remain limited.

Officials have not yet confirmed:

• Whether the officers sustained injuries
• The extent of the alleged dragging
• Whether a vehicle pursuit occurred

Authorities say the case remains under investigation.

Court Appearance Scheduled

Awkward is scheduled to make his first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. in Wake County Court.

As with all criminal cases, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Conclusion

The incident underscores the potential dangers officers face during routine stops and the serious consequences when encounters escalate. As investigators work to gather more details, the case will likely draw continued attention in the days ahead.