Army recruiter tells of being dragged by hit-and-run driver

MINNEAPOLIS – An Army recruiter is speaking publicly for the first time about how he survived being dragged for nearly a mile by a hit-and-run driver, and about his lingering injuries.

CBS Minnesota reported that last September, Staff Sgt. Travis Torgerson and with Staff Sgt. Michael Stroud were walking back to the office after lunch. They were just feet from their building when a driver approached.

“We made eye contact with him,” Torgerson said. “So we started crossing and then he hit us. Sgt. Stroud went up and over, and I got dragged underneath.”

“He got out. He gave me a quick tug and then kicked me in the ribs,” Torgerson said. “He got back in and continued on driving.”

After nearly a mile, Torgerson broke free and was taken to a hospital.

Police arrested Taylor a short time later.

The station reports that last fall Taylor pleaded guilty, and on Wednesday a judge sentenced him to nearly 16 years behind bars.  He has a lengthy criminal record.

Torgerson says he will not forgive what Taylor did.

“No, I don’t believe he was remorseful for what he did,” Torgerson said. “I don’t think it was intentional but he had every opportunity to stop.”

Torgerson spent six and-a-half weeks in the hospital with head, shoulder and skin injuries, along with several broken bones.

“Unfortunately, I have to deal with this the rest of my life,” he said. “[Taylor] gets the next 189 months [in prison]. Then he’s back to doing what he’s going to do.”

Torgerson, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has had four skin graft surgeries on his lower back, CBS Minnesota says.

Due to severe headaches and shoulder injuries, he said he’s not able to play with his children – ages 2 and 4 — like a normal dad.

“Everything we stand up and fight for, this guy just kind of took away,” said Staff Sgt. Travis Torgerson.

Stroud suffered minor injuries during the hit and run.