A Thunder Bay Police officer was nearly pinned by a vehicle as he attempted to arrest a wanted man earlier this morning.

A member of the traffic unit identified a vehicle registered to a wanted male around 630AM, using the Automated License Plate Reader. A traffic stop was initiated in a parking lot near the Real Canadian Superstore gas bar and the officer confirmed the identity of  the man and that he was wanted on an outstanding warrant for impaired driving.

Other officers were dispatched to assist with the arrest.

When the man was told he was under arrest he resisted and and began to drive forward, nearly crushing another officer between his vehicle and a nearby cruiser. Fortunately the officer was not injured.

The wanted motorist fled and a pursuit was called off due to safety concerns, police are now working to complete the arrest.