MANSFIELD, Ohio (AP) -- A northern Ohio law enforcement officer is scraped and bruised but not seriously hurt after being dragged several feet when a driver drove away during a traffic stop.

Richland County sheriff's Sgt. Mike Viars had stopped a Jeep on Friday in Mansfield, roughly halfway between Cleveland and Columbus. Viars said the 37-year-old man driving the Jeep became impatient and started to drive away when the officer opened a door and reached inside to turn off the vehicle.

Viars tells the News Journal in Mansfield ( http://ohne.ws/I4plhC ) he tried to run with the Jeep but lost his footing and was dragged a few feet before rolling away. He was treated at a hospital.

Police said they were searching for the Jeep driver, who later crashed and apparently fled on foot.

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Information from: News Journal, http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com