A British millionaire philanthropist has apologized for driving his car while a police officer was holding onto his steering wheel through the open driver’s window, dragging the officer alongside the vehicle and injuring him.
Sir Harry Djanogly, 77, said in court that he was driving his wife to the hospital and thought her life was in danger, the Guardian reports. When he was pulled over for speeding in his silver Jaguar, he explained his situation and continued, but after stopping shortly ahead at a red light, the officer reached through his window and grabbed the steering wheel. Djanogly says he then took his foot off the brake accidentally, taken by surprise. He says he did not put his foot on the accelerator, citing the officer’s survival as proof: “I know if I revved that car we would not see that man for dust,” he said. “He would, God forbid, have died.”
The officer suffered leg injuries and stress, for which Djanogly, a textile manufacturer thought to be worth £300 million ($422 million) said he was sorry.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Why Trump’s Message Worked on Latino Men
- What Trump’s Win Could Mean for Housing
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2024
- Sleep Doctors Share the 1 Tip That’s Changed Their Lives
- Column: Let’s Bring Back Romance
- What It’s Like to Have Long COVID As a Kid
- FX’s Say Nothing Is the Must-Watch Political Thriller of 2024
- Merle Bombardieri Is Helping People Make the Baby Decision
Contact us at letters@time.com