A man has been accused of car theft after two officers were injured, one of them seriously, when the suspect and lawmen plowed into a ditch during a chase in south Houstonearly this morning.

The wreck occurred in the 3200 block of Almeda Genoa near Scott about 4 a.m., according to the Houston Police Department.

The officers, Jason Roy and Gerald Meola Jr., were rushed to Memorial Hermann Hospital, police said. Police said Roy, sworn in as an officer in February 2007, has a serious neck injury. His condition has not been released, but his injury is non-life-threatening, police said.

Meola, sworn in as an officer in November 2006, was treated for minor injuries and is expected to be released soon.

Police identified the suspect as Frederick Anthony Davis. He is charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and evading arrest, HPD officials said.

Davis, 18, of Houston, is being held in the Harris County Jail in lieu of $60,000 bail, according to Harris County records.

Mayor Annise Parker and Police Chief Charles McClelland visited the hospital this morning to check on the officers.

The chase began after the officers, members of HPD’s Gang Division Crime Reduction Unit, spotted a 1997 Ford Taurus which they suspected was stolen. Davis, who was driving the car, sped away and the officers followed.

At some point during the brief chase, Davis and the officers lost control of their cars. The squad car careened into the ditch and rolled over. The car Davis drove also veered into the ditch. Davis jumped out and ran away. Other officers followed him and took him into custody.

A woman who was a passenger in the car with Davis remained at the crash site. Police said she has not been charged in the case, and officers later released her.