A 21-year-old man faces 18 charges after a Toronto police officer investigating a traffic collision was allegedly pushed into live traffic Saturday morning.

An officer stopped behind a vehicle that had been involved in a collision in the Lake Shore Boulevard and Ellis Avenue area at around 5:20 a.m.

The officer attempted to arrest a man who appeared to be impaired. The suspect allegedly pushed the officer into live traffic and fled on foot. A suspect was arrested after a violent struggle, and a loaded and concealed handgun and narcotics were seized, police say.

Josue Varela-Granado, 21, of Toronto, faces 18 charges, including possession of a loaded firearm, impaired driving by drug and assault of a peace officer.

Dec. 30, 2019 — Correction: This story has been updated from a previously published version to delete erroneous reference that the incident happened in Etobicoke.