The fleeing driver crashed the stolen car after striking the officer. (Photo by Christopher Shadrock)

KILLEEN (January 30, 2013)—A Killeen police officer was hospitalized in stable condition Wednesday night after he suffered head injuries when a stolen car other officers were chasing struck his patrol unit.

Initial reports from the scene indicated he was was laying out spike strips in an attempt to end the pursuit when the car struck him.

It's not clear whether he was inside or outside of the patrol car.

The injured officer, whose name was not released, was taken first to Metroplex Hospital in Killeen and then was transferred to Scott & White Hospital in Temple.

A man and a teenager were arrested after the case and were in the Killeen City Jail Wednesday night.

The chase started at around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday when an officer spotted the stolen Hyundai Azera in the 200 block of North W.S. Young.

When the officer attempted to stop the car, the driver sped off and led officers on a chase through a neighborhood north of Rancier Avenue and onto Cole Avenue where the Hyundai struck the patrol unit.

The chase ended a short time later when the stolen car crashed in the 1500 block of Duncan.

The passenger remained in the car, but the driver tried to run.

He was captured about a block from the crash.

Officers arrested two men, ages 19 and 32.

Their names have not been released.

Charges were pending Wednesday night.