A man that was wanted in Martinsville on felony charges stole a vehicle and rammed into a police vehicle while trying to run from police officers on Saturday.

According to BTW 21, the incident happened at 2 pm when a vehicle was pulled over on Evening Star Lane by Martinsville Police. The passenger in the vehicle, Jonathan Michael Easter, then got out with an AR-15.

After he was ordered to drop the gun, he did so, and then fled on foot. Easter then stole a freightliner truck from a nearby parking lot and rammed a police officer’s vehicle head on in an attempt to escape. 

Before the vehicle could be pushed off an embankment the officer fired shots at Easter. He then stopped the car and was arrested. Easter was not hit by any bullets. Easter was arrested on the previous felony charges as well as felony attempting to elude and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The officer was treated for minor injuries. Virginia State Police is conducting an independent investigation into the incident.