San Jose police: Driver attacks, breaks officer’s nose during traffic stop

SAN JOSE — A police officer suffered a broken nose after he was punched in the face by a man during a traffic stop on Alum Rock Avenue on Thursday morning, authorities said.

The attack was reported around 9:45 a.m. on Alum Rock Avenue near 33rd Street, according to the San Jose Police Department.

An early investigation alleges that the police officer had initiated a stop on a motorist whose vehicle was associated with a prior felony evading case.

“The vehicle stopped and the driver refused to cooperate with the officer,” the police department said in a statement to this news organization. “The suspect exited his vehicle and began to swing at the officer and physically assault him.”

Soon after, police said a good Samaritan rushed over and helped the officer fend off the attack, and eventually more officers arrived to arrest the motorist, whose identity was not immediately released.

Police said the involved officer “sustained a broken nose among other visible injuries” that were not considered life-threatening, adding that the suspect suffered minor injuries and refused medical treatment.

The suspect was expected to be booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon, assault on a peace officer and the prior felony evading allegation, according to police, who did not release additional details Thursday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.