A police officer was seriously injured early Saturday in a freak accident, after he collided with a moving squad car while running after a suspect fleeing a traffic stop.

The officer, whose name is being withheld, was in the intensive care unit at Decatur Memorial Hospital in critical condition, according to the Decatur Police Department. His injuries are not considered life-threatening.

About 1:15 a.m. Saturday, the officer attempted to stop a vehicle for a vehicle code violation near Leafland Avenue and Monroe Street.

The vehicle, occupied by two young men, drove away from the marked squad car, which had its emergency lights and siren activated. Other patrol officers deployed tire deflation devices a few minutes later, which stopped the vehicle on North Mercer Street.

The driver then fled the vehicle, with an officer in pursuit. While running across Pine Street, the officer ran into the side of a moving squad car.

The driver of the fleeing vehicle soon was apprehended nearby. The 17-year-old had an outstanding warrant for burglary in Shelby County.

He was booked into the Macon County Jail on preliminary charges of aggravated fleeing/eluding, aggravated resisting a police officer (injury to officer), driving while suspended and numerous other traffic charges related to the pursuit.

The passenger, who cooperated with police, was arrested for consumption of alcohol by a minor.

The Illinois State Police is assisting with the investigation regarding the impact between the officer and the squad car.