Driver hits North Palm Beach officer after failing to stop during pursuit, police say

NORTH PALM BEACH, Fla. — An officer with the North Palm Beach Police Department was hit by a driver Christmas night during a pursuit in northern Palm Beach County.

The officer attempted to stop a vehicle driven by John Michael Marshall of Lake Worth Beach for speeding, North Palm Beach police spokesman Sgt. Lou Pearson said.

However, Marshall, 22, failed to stop and continued north on U.S. 1 and out of the city’s limits before finally stopping in the 1900 block of Kathy Lane.

Pearson said the officer gave numerous verbal commands for Marshall to get out of the vehicle, but the driver ignored those demands.

John Perrault

Marshall then put the car in reverse and turned the car, striking the police officer in the leg and hitting a mailbox and tree, according to Pearson. The suspect then recklessly drove away from the scene.

A police pursuit continued with the assistance of neighboring agencies, police said.

The vehicle was later found abandoned a short time later.

North Palm Beach police detectives were able to identify Marshall and later arrested him.

The injured officer, whose name has not been released, was transported to the hospital and treated for undisclosed injuries.

Marshall faces charges of aggravated battery of an officer and fleeing/eluding police.

Palm Beach County jail records show he is being held without bond.