NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A police officer is recovering at a Nashville hospital after his vehicle swerved to avoid another motorist during a pursuit and struck a tree.

According to a release from the Nashville Police Department, Officer Nicholas Berens is in stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Officials say Berens was traveling Sunday morning to assist another officer in the pursuit of a shooting suspect when the driver of a car in front of Berens suddenly stopped in response to the officer's lights and sirens.

Berens swerved to avoid the car and hit a tree. He was pinned inside before eventually being extricated by the fire department. He suffered several fractures and cuts.

Officials say the car that made Berens swerve continued on and was not present during the crash investigation.