A 50-year-old Minneapolis man was charged Friday in Hennepin County District Court with running over his girlfriend, severely injuring her, then fleeing.

Police are still searching for Jeffrey Cruz, who is charged with first-degree assault, criminal vehicular operation-gross negligence and criminal vehicular operation-leaving the scene of the accident.

Cruz's girlfriend called police Tuesday to say she didn't want Cruz driving drunk, according to the criminal complaint. When officers spoke with Cruz, he told them he had had only a couple of beers and that his girlfriend was trying to land him in trouble.

Police ordered Cruz to leave her residence on 23rd Avenue S. but not to drive his car, the complaint says.

About 20 minutes later, officers were called back the residence, where Cruz and the woman were arguing in an alley. Police told the two to stay away from each other.

At 10:42 a.m., police responded to another call from a witness who said he had videotaped Cruz running over his girlfriend with a van, the complaint says. The video showed the girlfriend with both hands on the hood of the van and Cruz accelerating and knocking her to the ground. He drove over her and kept going.

She was hospitalized with bleeding on the brain, fractured ribs, a collapsed left lung, a broken jaw and fractures to her spine and sternum.

Police are asking for the public's help in locating Cruz.

Beatrice Dupuy • 612-673-1707