A Victoria police officer and a bystander were injured after a man in a stolen car tried to escape arrest.

Police received a report of a stolen car Thursday morning and later spotted it at Esquimalt Road at Head Street. When officers tried to stop the car, the driver reversed and crashed into another car waiting at the light.

article continues below

A police officer, who wasn’t in a vehicle at the time, was struck as the driver took off. The officer was not seriously injured.

The driver of the other car stopped at the light was checked by paramedics but was not taken to hospital.

Officers found the car at the Esquimalt Plaza with what they said was “significant damage.” The driver was arrested a short distance away.

Police said charges of dangerous driving, assault with a weapon, flight from police and driving while suspended are being recommended.