Motorist Runs Over Officer Following Traffic Stop In Garden Grove

GARDEN GROVE (CBS) — Authorities are searching for a 28-year-old motorist who ran over a Garden Grove police officer Wednesday morning following a traffic stop.

The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. in a parking lot near Brookhurst Avenue, East of the 22 Freeway.

The motorcycle officer pulled Marcos Gonzales over for not wearing his seat belt, Lt. Jeff Nightingale said.

During the traffic stop, the officer became suspicious of Gonzales' actions and requested backup. At that point, a struggle ensued and Gonzales tried to get away. The suspect got in his vehicle, hit the officer with the car door and ran his legs over before he fled the scene, Nightingale said.

The 35-year-old officer did not suffer life threatening injuries and was taken to UCI Medical Center.

He is a 10-year veteran of the department, Nightingale said.

Gonzales is driving a green Infiniti Q35. Anyone who sees him should call 911.