The two officers were on foot and in a vehicle searching for a suspect who had fled a traffic stop when the collision occurred, according to police. The injured officer was taken to a local hospital, where he is being treated for injuries described as serious but not life-threatening.

The bureau has not released the officer's name, saying only that he has served on the force for three years. Police also declined to release further details about the crash itself.

The sequence of events began shortly after 1:30 a.m., when officers attempted to stop a driver near Southeast 141st Avenue and Stark Street for a traffic violation. The driver sped away, turning into an apartment complex in the 14000 block of Southeast Stark Street, police said. The suspect escaped on foot, and no arrests have been made. Police said they are continuing to search for that person.

The department's Traffic Division Major Crash Team is investigating what caused the collision that injured the officer.

The incident highlights the risks officers face during foot pursuits and vehicle searches in the dark, and it comes as the bureau continues to grapple with staffing and budget pressures. For residents in the surrounding east Portland neighborhood, the crash also raises questions about how police chases unfold in residential areas.

Anyone with information about the fleeing suspect is asked to contact Portland police.