Driver Held After Officer Is Injured

A police officer suffered an injured ankle Sunday morning when a driver allegedly ran over his foot while trying to escape arrest.

Police said the officer stopped the car about 1 a.m. for a registration violation on the San Diego Freeway north of Jamboree Road, then noticed narcotics in the car. As the officer called on his hand radio for a backup officer, the driver allegedly reached toward the left side of the seat and accelerated the car. The officer, who was standing in the open passenger doorway, thought the driver was trying to get a gun and fired several shots, which missed, according to a Police Department statement.

The car ran over the officer’s left foot and ankle as it sped off, and the backup officer, who observed the incident, gave chase, police said. The pursuit lasted about seven minutes, reaching speeds over 75 m.p.h.. The driver abandoned the car on North Mitchell between Cowan and Red Hill Avenue, and fled. Officers chasing on foot caught him about a quarter-mile away, police said.

Patrick S. Mansur, 42, was arrested on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer, possession of dangerous drugs, felony drunk driving and felonious evading arrest.

The officer, who was not identified, was taken to Irvine Medical Center for treatment of his ankle injury. Another officer suffered minor injuries, mostly bruises, while trying to restrain the suspect, who was treated by paramedics at the scene of the arrest for minor injuries.

Police said no gun was found in the car.