AUBURN – A 15-year-old Lewiston boy was arrested late Wednesday and charged with dragging a woman across a parking lot during a hit-and-run crash earlier in the night.

Police said the teen had struck a car in a Center Street parking lot at about 7 p.m. When the woman in the damaged car jumped out and tried to stop the teenager from driving away, he put the car into reverse, police said.

The woman was reaching into the boy’s car when he began driving off, according to Auburn police Lt. Tim Cougle. She was dragged a short distance across the lot, suffering bumps and bruises.

Police said the teen suspect drove away, leaving her injured in the parking lot. Officers in both Lewiston and Auburn searched for the 15-year-old throughout the night.

Sometime after 10 p.m., he was found in Lewiston and arrested. The 15-year-old was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with injury, reckless conduct and driving without a license.

The suspect was not identified because of his juvenile status. The name of the victim was not immediately available. She was believed to be in her 30s.