A traffic stop Saturday on I-94 in Bismarck turned into a physical assault against a Burleigh County Sheriff deputy.

Local authorities are searching for 47-year-old Lonnie Howard who according to Inforum, assaulted the deputy around 11 a,m. Saturday. The incident took place on the westbound lane when the Howard gave the officer false information.

The deputy asked the driver to get out of the car to be detained, until his identity can be cleared. Howard began to assault the officer striking him several times with his fist. A citizen saw the altercation and pulled off the interstate to assist the deputy.

The driver got back in is car and fled the scene but not before striking the citizen's car and went up the interstate ramp going the wrong way. His car was found later in the day but officers had not found Howard.

Howard is wanted on several warrants by the U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and North Dakota Parole and Probation.

The deputy was treated and released from a local hospital for his minor injuries.

 

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