An El Centro CHP Officer was assaulted by a motorist.

Shortly before 6:00 p.m. Thursday, the officer contacted an apparent disabled motorist on westbound Interstate 8 near Ocotillo. When the officer approached the driver, 43-year-old Earl Bradley Booker, of Phoenix, the man displayed altering mood swings. As the officer spoke with Booker through the open driver's side window, Booker struck the officer with a screwdriver causing a facial laceration. The officer returned to his patrol car and requested backup. Several CHP units responded and Booker was given multiple commands to get out of the vehicle. The suspect refused to get out and officers deployed beanbags to be able to see inside the vehicle and keep an eye on Booker. At this time, Booker ignited the interior  of the vehicle using a flammable liquid. Booker then got out of the vehicle and tried to walk away westbound on the freeway. Officers followed and again gave numerous commands for Booker to stop. At this time, a CHP K9 officer deployed his dog onto Booker. Booker began striking the dog with a metal screwdriver. Officers than tased Booker and used several Kinetic energy munitions ( beanbags ). The tasing, beanbags and K9 had no effect on Booker and eventually officers surrounded him and took him into custody. Booker was transported to El Centro Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries. The CHP officer was able to drive himself to the hospital for treatment. Traffic on the Interstate 8 was tied up for an extended period during the incident.