OKEECHOBEE — As deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, the driver reportedly tried to get away by running over a deputy.

On Friday, Dec. 4 at approximately 8:15 p.m., Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy Brandon Greis was on patrol in the area of the 1800 block of State Road 70 West when Deputy Brian Cross conducted the traffic stop on a 2004 black Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Oscar Sanchez, who reportedly identified himself as “Ryan Lofton.” Because deputies had been looking at photos of Sanchez earlier in the evening in reference to several out of county warrants, they were able to identify him and asked him to step out of the vehicle. Sanchez reportedly refused to get out of the vehicle, and one of the deputies reached inside in an effort to open the door. As he did this, Sanchez allegedly put the car in drive and began to accelerate, turning the wheel toward the deputy in an attempt to hit him.

Deputy Cross grabbed the other officer by the vest and pulled him out of the way, and Sanchez’s vehicle continued onto the sidewalk and then into oncoming traffic westbound on State Road 70 West. The three deputies followed in their patrol cars with lights and sirens activated, and Sanchez reportedly exceeded speeds of 90 mph before the chase was called off.

On Tuesday, Dec. 8 at approximately 10:45 a.m., Sanchez was located and arrested. He was charged with fleeing and eluding while lights and siren are activated, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle on a law enforcement officer and driving without a license. Bond was set at $72,500.