The crash happened around 4:15 a.m. Friday at Tyburn and New Falls roads in Falls Township, Bucks County.
Investigators say 36-year-old Brian Etier was behind the wheel of a Mercedes Benz. The vehicle was travelling eastbound on Tyburn Road, crossed the yellow line at the curve, swerved into oncoming traffic and slammed into a police cruiser.
That officer was identified as 28-year-old Matt Killeen, a three year veteran of the Falls Township Police Department. Officer Killeen was responding to an alarm call when the accident occurred.
The police cruiser caught fire with Officer Killeen trapped inside.
"Officer Killeen was trapped inside his vehicle. His vehicle caught fire but officers arrived quickly and were able to get him out of the car," said Lt. Henry Ward, of the Falls Township Police Department.
Killeen was taken to Saint Mary's Medical Center with a fractured pelvis and bruised lung and is now listed in fair condition. The driver - Etier - was also upgraded to fair condition.
Authorities say the patrol car was so badly damaged on the passenger side that police say if Killeen's partner had been in the vehicle, there is no way they could have survived.
Police are still trying figure out what sparked the crash.
