GROVES — An 18-year-old Port Arthur man could face felony charges for allegedly backing his car into a police vehicle and almost striking an officer Sunday morning.

“The officer almost got his legs crushed between the suspect vehicle and patrol car,” Groves Assistant City Marshal Kirk Rice.

The suspect had been stopped for speeding in the 2500 block of Main Avenue and officers learned the driver had an active warrant for his arrest.

“The officer approached the driver and told him to exit the vehicle and he refused to open the door and get out of the vehicle,” he said. “At that point the driver put the vehicle in reverse and basically accelerated.”

The officer was not actually between the two vehicles but the way the suspect reversed and turned his wheel the vehicle came back around and almost crushed his legs.

A second officer was talking to passengers in the rear of the vehicle and almost was struck as well when the driver left.

The suspect fled the area with Groves officers in pursuit traveling north on Main Avenue then west on Texas 73. “Due to the time of day, traffic conditions, and the suspects wanton disregard for other motorist, the pursuing officers were unable to safely keep up with the vehicle,” according to a press release posted on the Groves Police Department Facebook page,

The vehicle was later found abandoned at a Port Arthur apartment complex off FM 365. Port Arthur Police Crime Scene Unit responded to assist with processing the vehicle.

The driver remains at large with multiple cases including a first-degree felony charge of aggravated assault on a peace officer and a charge of evading arrest, Rice said.

The suspect vehicle was towed to an undisclosed location and a hold placed on it.

Persons with information about this crime are asked to call Groves Police Det. Hudson at 962-4471.