COLUMBUS — A suspected purse-snatcher who led police on a high-speed chase ran down and severely injured an officer who was spreading road spikes to stop his car, authorities said.

        Officer Stewart “Sam” Miller, 35, a freeway patrol officer with 10 years of experience, was in critical condition Friday afternoon in Grant Medical Center.

        Officer Miller had multiple fractures in both legs, a broken arm, and cuts on his face and head, said police spokesman Sgt. Earl Smith.

        Police identified the driver as Ray Wettling, 34, of Columbus. He is charged with attempted murder, assault on a police offi cer, fleeing and robbery. He will be arraigned today.

        “This was a deliberate criminal act,” Sgt. Smith said.

        Officer Miller was struck during a high-speed pursuit through residential streets and on three highways that began with an attempted purse-snatching on the northwest side of the city.

        Witnesses told police a man in a car had dragged a woman while trying to steal her purse as he drove near her, Sgt. Smith said.

        Officers spotted the car and began pursuing it on Interstate 71 south at speeds of up to 100 mph.

        Police policy dictates that high-speed chases be limited to cases of violent crimes. Sgt. Smith said this chase was justified because officers thought at the time that the man had tried to kidnap the woman.

        After it was determined that no one had been abducted, officers ended the high-speed chase, Sgt. Smith said.

        Cruisers and a helicopter continued to follow from a distance as the car sped through the east side.

        Officer Miller and Officer Lonnie Daugherty were laying spikes as the car approached them.

        The car first swerved at Officer Daugherty, who jumped onto the hood of a parked car to avoid getting hit, Sgt. Smith said. The car then hit Officer Miller.

        The car, with a flat tire, came to a stop and Mr. Wettling bolted. Other officers chased him down on foot.

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