A Brockton man pleaded guilty to dragging a Massachusetts State Police trooper while fleeing a traffic stop, and he will now spend a year in jail.

“I am thankful that this brave state trooper was not more seriously injured,” Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said. “Cases like this remind us all of the potential dangers that our first responders face every day that they put the uniform on and go out to protect us.”

Derek Lobo, 32, pleaded guilty in Plymouth County Superior Court in Brockton to multiple criminal charges of assault and battery as well as reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

Judge Daniel O’Shea sentenced Lobo to 2 ½ years in the House of Correction, but suspended all but one year so that Lobo won’t have to serve the rest if he remains out of trouble for two years.

A little before 6 p.m. on Sept. 13, 2023, State Police on patrol along Montello Street in Brockton saw a Mercedes drive by without a front license plate and with heavily tinted windows, according to a Plymouth DA statement. A computer check revealed the car was overdue for inspection, as well. The staties activated their lights and pulled the car over.

Both troopers approached but one went back to check Lobo’s status on the squad car computer. The search revealed his license was expired and could not be renewed.

When the trooper came back and informed Lobo of this, Lobo sped away, with one trooper still clutching the driver’s door. The vehicle dragged the trooper and when the trooper separated from the vehicle, he slid 10 feet on the pavement, getting injured and shredding his uniform.

The troopers hopped into their cruiser and started pursuing Lobo but called it off as speeds reached 80 mph, according to the Plymouth DA. The MSP fugitive unit later found Lobo and arrested him.