A Fresno police officer was injured Tuesday evening while arresting a man who police said had run into oncoming traffic near Clinton and Blythe avenues.

Officers responded to the intersection about 6:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a person who had left a group home without authorization and was running into traffic, according to the Fresno Police Department.

Police said officers ordered the man to stop and he surrendered but refused commands to get on the ground. When an officer attempted to detain him, police said the man tensed his body and pulled away.

A brief struggle followed, during which the man pulled his arms away from the officer and placed them underneath his body, police said. The officer eventually placed him in handcuffs.

After he was handcuffed, police said the man repeatedly tried to stand and kicked the officer in the leg with both feet at least three times. The officer suffered visible injuries to his left knee and shin, according to police.

The man was arrested on suspicion of obstructing and resisting an officer and battery on a police officer. Police identified him as Johnathan Mcgowan.

Mcgowan was taken to Community Regional Medical Center and was expected to later be booked into the Fresno County Jail, police said.

No additional information was provided by police.

—

Connect with Anthony W. Haddad on social media. Got a tip? Send an email.