Aurora police have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted first-degree murder of a police officer following an incident in which he allegedly tried to run an officer down with his vehicle.
Alejandro Luis Garcia, 18, also was charged with vehicular eluding and DUI in the case, which, according to officials, began about 12:30 a.m. Monday while a patrol officer was conducting a traffic stop on East Colfax Avenue at Moline Street.
As the officer was walking back to his cruiser, he noticed a different vehicle traveling toward him. When the vehicle got closer, it stopped.
Thinking the driver was stopping to allow him to get back into his car, the officer began to walk to his driver’s side door, officials said.
As soon as he started to walk, the tires on the suspect’s vehicle squealed and the driver accelerated toward the officer.
The vehicle hit the officer’s leg, tossing him onto the hood of the police car. The suspect vehicle struck the front of the officer’s car then fled the scene, police say.
Officials said the officer was able to get back into his vehicle and began a pursuit but was forced to stop when the engine of his vehicle began to smoke.
The officer was transported to a hospital, where he was treated for his injuries and later released.
Garcia was arrested Monday morning.
