Texas: Man who struck Harlingen officer with vehicle identified, charged

Police identified the man who struck a Harlingen police officer with an SUV last week when he allegedly attempted to avoid being detained. Francisco Sanchez, 32, of Primera has been formally charged with two counts of aggravated assault on a public servant and one count of driving while intoxicated. A judge set a $75,000 bond for each assault charge and a $25,000 bond for the driving while intoxicated charge.

Allan Dienstbier and Oscar Freitag, who were the responding officers in the case, have been returned to full duty after a review by Harlingen Police Chief Jeffry A. Adickes.

The investigation was initiated after Dienstbier and Freitag responded to a disturbance in progress on the 2500 block of Chuparosa Court Monday, Nov. 16, according to a statement by the Harlingen Police Department.

Upon arrival, the officers observed a dark-colored SUV leaving the area. The officers activated the emergency lights in an attempt to stop the SUV, and Sanchez allegedly accelerated toward them, striking Freitag on the leg.

Sanchez then drove toward Dienstbier, who fired his weapon at Sanchez. The 32-year-old man crashed into the police car, and left it with significant damage.

After exiting the SUV and attempting to flee on foot, officers apprehended Sanchez and provided first aid until paramedics arrived, according to the statement.

At Adickes' request, the Texas Rangers were to conduct an independent investigation on the officer-involved shooting.

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