A sheriff’s deputy making a routine traffic stop near the Super Walmart on Carl Boyer Drive ended up on the receiving end of swinging fists from an uncooperative driver Wednesday morning.

Two men driving a white Nissan pickup truck were pulled over shortly after 8 a.m. and the deputy had just asked the first suspect, who was driving the truck, to get out and sit in the patrol car. That’s when things got nasty.

The driver, who was singled out because he did not have a driver’s license, started punching the deputy and the two began to fight. Drivers passing the scene started honking their car horns to get the suspect to stop and reported that the second suspect got out of the truck and joined in the melee.

As other deputies arrived on the scene, the two suspects got back in their truck and fled the scene. The injured deputy was taken to the hospital for treatment and has since been released.

Detectives are investigating the incident; any witnesses who would like to share additional information are encouraged to call the sheriff’s station at 255-1121.