A Houston-area police officer has been critically hurt after his patrol car hit a truck during the search for a shooting suspect.

The Department of Public Safety says the Splendora officer was injured Monday in an accident near New Caney. The front of the patrol vehicle ended up wedged under the trailer of the 18-wheeler.

Trooper Eric Burse says investigators are trying to determine whether the officer was responding to the call or leaving the scene. Burse says the trucker suffered minor injuries when the rig was hit.

Burse declined to release the name of the hospitalized officer or more details on his condition. Splendora police also did not provide more information.

Investigators say the shooting victim is expected to survive. The suspect has not been caught.