Missouri police officer hit by car, hospitalized

A southeast Missouri police officer was hospitalized Monday after being run over by a car during a traffic stop. New Madrid officer Brandon Hanner and an officer he was training pulled over a car Monday afternoon. Police Chief Joey Higgerson said Hanner was speaking with the driver, 43-year-old Ron Murphy of New Madrid, when Murphy appeared ready to drive off.

Higgerson said Hanner reached into the car to try and get the keys and Murphy took off, dragging the officer briefly before the car ran over Hanner's left leg and arm. Murphy allegedly then put the car in reverse and drove back toward the officers again, but crashed. Murphy was charged with first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer.