A 27-year-old Lawrence man was arrested on charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer after he was accused of driving away from a traffic stop early Saturday and almost striking an officer, said Kim Murphree, a police spokeswoman.

An officer observed the man run a red light about 1 a.m. Saturday at 23rd and Louisiana streets, and the driver did not stop his vehicle until he reached 23rd Street and Haskell Avenue. Murphree said the man drove away and almost hit the officer after the officer was out of his patrol vehicle and had asked the driver to exit his vehicle.

The driver later stopped his vehicle and was arrested in the 100 block of Pine Haven Court. The man posted $3,500 bond Saturday and was given notice to appear in court March 23.

The Journal-World generally does not identify suspects unless they are formally charged.