An off-duty Suffolk County police officer is recovering Thursday after he was dragged by a car in Middle Island.

According to police, 33-year-old Michael Viruet was asked by a neighbor to check out a suspicious-looking car parked at the end of Brian Court. Authorities say a dispute took place when Viruet went to investigate, and the driver put the car in gear. Viruet was dragged 150 feet until he slammed into the side of a lamp post. Investigators say they are unsure if the officer was caught or was hanging on.

Viruet was taken to Stony Brook Hospital and treated for broken ribs and other injuries. Police were able to locate the car later and arrest 18-year-old Geoffrey Butts, of Middle Island, on assault charges. Authorities are searching for another person who was in the car at the time of the incident.