news-record.com

GREENSBORO – The family of a man accused of hitting a Greensboro police officer with a car Tuesday night said the incident was a misunderstanding.

The family of Larod Lasharod Rowell spoke out Friday afternoon following a court appearance and said the man is apologetic about the incident.

Around 9:13 p.m. Tuesday, officers were called to 701 Greenhaven Drive on a suspicious vehicle call.

Officer H.B. Harris went to investigate the vehicle – a four-door Buick sedan – when the driver accelerated and struck him, according to police and court records.

The officer fired his weapon at the driver, but missed. The officer was struck in the right knee, but had only minor injuries, according to police.

According to Rowell’s sister Tasha McRae and his girlfriend, Amanda Hoston – Rowell was asleep in the vehicle and hit the officer after he was spooked.

“All he saw was someone in black with a gun,” McRae said after speaking to her brother. “He didn’t know it was an officer.”

Thinking he was in danger - Rowell hit the gas pedal - striking the officer, they said.

“He stopped the car and let the officer arrest him,” Hoston said. “He apologized to the cop and that’s when they took him in.”

Rowell is facing charges of assault with a government official with a deadly weapon, resisting a public officer and marijuana possession.

At a court appearance Friday, District Court Judge Avery Crump lowered Rowell’s bond from $100,000 to $5,000.

The incident remains under investigation with Greensboro police.

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals@news-record.com