An Arizona Department of Safety trooper was hospitalized after an altercation near Flagstaff on Monday night.
Troopers were called to an area north of Flagstaff around 9 p.m. after receiving reports of a pedestrian on US-180. Callers told officials the pedestrian appeared to be intoxicated.
Once a trooper arrived on scene, the suspect 29-year-old Jorge Esquivel, resisted the trooper, which resulted in a foot pursuit.
The trooper followed Esquivel into the forest where the trooper lost his footing, fell and hit his head on a log. DPS says the trooper's injuries are not life-threatening.
The suspect was taken into custody by another responding trooper.
Investigation revealed the suspect was involved in a crash prior to contact with DPS. A second person was believed to be in Esquivel's vehicle when it crashed, and has not been located since. DPS believes that person suffered injuries in the crash as well.
Esquivel is facing charges for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of dangerous drugs (methamphetamine), resisting arrest, aggravated assault on a police officer, and escape.
