EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man who allegedly hit a Moses Lake police officer with his vehicle last week after the officer tried to stop the car faces DUI and assault charges.

Prosecutors charged Benedicto C. Rojas, 37, with second-degree assault, third-degree assault and driving while under the influence of intoxicants stemming from an April 5 incident at a Moses Lake residence.

Officers were called to a domestic dispute about 1 a.m. at a residence on Crouse Street. A witness said a group was leaving the scene in a blue car. When officers arrived, they noticed a dark-colored car leaving the residence, according to police reports.

An officer stopped his patrol vehicle in front of the car with his emergency lights on and then stepped out of the vehicle. The driver, identified as Rojas, allegedly drove around the patrol car and never slowed down as he headed directly at the officer.

The officer reportedly started backing up, shining a flashlight at Rojas and repeatedly telling him to stop. The officer then put his hand on the hood of the vehicle when Rojas turned the vehicle toward him and struck him on the hip, according to police reports.

Rojas reportedly looked directly at the officer twice as he drove by. Rojas stopped shortly after and when the officer opened the door, he reportedly smelled an "overwhelming odor" of alcohol. The officer was able to pull Rojas from the vehicle and the car began to roll again, running over the officer's foot before stopping against a chain link fence,

Officers were unable to perform a Breathalyzer test on scene due to a cut on Rojas' mouth and he reportedly refused a blood test at Samaritan Hospital. Officers reported Rojas was sobbing uncontrollably at one point and was unable to stand on his own, according to police reports.