Special to The Leader

In a Press release from Calcasieu Parish Sheriff: A Lake Charles man has been arrested on a charge of aggravated battery after backing into a Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy,

An off-duty deputy working as a courtesy officer at a Lake Charles park on Saturdayafternoon said he smelled marijuana coming from inside a truck in the parking lot, according to Kim Myers, Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.

The deputy approached the truck and spoke with the driver, Michael W. Easton Jr., 40. Easton asked the deputy if he worked for the sheriff’s office. As the deputy walked around to the back of the truck to obtain the license plate number, Easton placed his car in reverse and backed up, striking the deputy and causing him to fall, said Myers. The deputy stated he had to roll out of the way to stop from being run over. Easton fled the scene, according to Myers.

Deputies located Easton at his residence and he was detained and transported back to the park. Deputies spoke with a witness at the scene who confirmed the deputy’s story.

Easton was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center on the charge of aggravated battery.

Judge Michael Canaday set his bond at $50,000.