SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The South Bend Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying a person they believe hit a police officer with a vehicle.

Just after 5 a.m. on Monday, South Bend Police responded to the area of Western Avenue and Olive Street regarding a welfare check.

An individual was reportedly unresponsive behind the wheel of a vehicle, according to reports.

When an officer arrived, he found the vehicle and driver in the northbound lane of Olive Street, just south of the intersection.

He tried to wake the unresponsive driver numerous times by knocking on the window.

The driver did not appear to be breathing and all the doors were locked.

One of the windows of the vehicle was open just enough for the officer to get his hand inside and unlock the doors, reports said.

The officer was able to wake the individual and informed him that he was there to help.

As he was speaking to the driver, the driver suddenly put his car in drive and sped off at a high and reckless speed, hitting the officer and knocking him to the ground, reports said.

The officer went to a local hospital with injuries to his lower extremities.

If you know who this individual is, please call the South Bend Police Investigative Bureau at 574-235-9263.

You can also call Michiana Crime Stoppers at 574-288-STOP or 800-342-STOP.