A police officer was seriously hurt when a man suspected of stealing a vehicle purposely hit him with an SUV Thursday night in Prince William County, Virginia, police say.
Just before 11 p.m. Thursday, an officer went up to the SUV on Oust Lane in Dale City because it matched the description of a vehicle that was stolen earlier in the evening at a 7-Eleven in Woodbridge, police said.
As the officer was at the driver's-side window, the driver sped off and made a U-turn. The suspect then drove directly toward the officer at a high rate of speed, police said.
Before the SUV hit the officer, the officer fired their gun, police said. Bullets hit the vehicle, and the suspect lost control, crashing a short distance away, police said. The suspect then ran away.
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The officer suffered a significant head injury and was taken to a hospital, police said. His condition has improved and he's expected to make a full recovery.
Police eventually found the suspect a couple of hours later during an extensive search of the area.
Valmiki Deo Chandler, 18, was arrested and charged with attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, aggravated malicious wounding, felony hit-and-run, felony eluding and felony grand larceny auto theft.
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Police said he didn't suffer any injuries from the shots the officer fired at the SUV.
Chandler is being held without bond.
Stay with News4 for updates to this developing story.
