Man tries to run over woman with truck, car chase ensues

WARSAW, Ind. (WANE) - Police say a man attempted to run over a woman with his pick-up truck after a fight Saturday night.

Police said an off-duty officer saw Robert Garcia, 36, of Warsaw, and a woman fighting on West Market Street in Warsaw around 11:05 p.m. The officer said Garcia accelerated his truck but then stopped and began backing up toward the woman as she ran away. Police said Garcia continued driving in reverse towards the woman in an attempt to run her over. According to police, the woman was able to hide behind a dumpster.

The off-duty officer saw the truck take off eastbound on Market Street. Warsaw police were able to initiate a traffic stop on Garcia about four blocks from the original scene.

Police said they ordered Garcia out of the truck but he then sped away leading police on a pursuit through downtown Warsaw. Police said Garcia ran multiple red lights without slowing down.

Garcia lost control and drove through a fence on State Road 15, near County Road 200 South. He then continued to drive to Ferguson Road and County Road 250 South where he stopped in a ditch, according to police.

Officers said Garcia then got out of the truck and ran towards a house. Police had to taser Garcia because he would not stop running.

Garcia was intoxicated at the time of the pursuit. He was arrested on charges of:

• Felony resisting law enforcement
• Battery resulting in serious bodily injury
• Criminal recklessness with a motor vehicle
• Misdemeanor charges of driving while suspended
• Fleeing law enforcement

Police said felony charges for operating a vehicle while intoxicated, with a prior arrest, are pending the results of a legal blood draw.

The 38-year-old woman Garcia tried to run over, was treated at Kosciusko Community Hospital for head and hand injuries she sustained from the altercation, according to police. She was also intoxicated.