INDEPENDENCE - A police officer was hospitalized after a car chase ended in a two-vehicle rollover accident.

The officer, whose name was not released, observed a white Oldsmobile at about 3 a.m. Tuesday driving recklessly and erratically, according to the Independence Police Department.

The driver of the car, Charles Brimmer, 19, of Independence, allegedly sped away when the officer tried to stop the vehicle. The officer pursued the car down 14th Street Northeast, which turns into 205th Street.

About a half mile east of Nathan Bethel Avenue, Brimmer lost control on the gravel and rolled into the south ditch. The officer, attempting to avoid the Brimmer's car, rolled into the north ditch.

The officer was taken by ambulance to Buchanan County Health Center. Brimmer fled the scene and was later arrested by Independence police, assisted by the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department and R.A.I.D. drug task force officers.

Brimmer is charged with second-degree theft for stealing the Oldsmobile from a downtown apartment.