INDIANAPOLIS -- An Indianapolis police officer was injured in a crash during a chase on the city's northwest side Friday night.

The crash happened as Officer Chris Cooper, a nine-year veteran of the department, was chasing a theft suspect near Lafayette Road.

Police said that as Cooper approached 38th Street, another motorist got in his path.

The officer swerved and crashed into an SUV parked at a used car lot, then struck the corner of a building.

Witnesses said Cooper had no choice but to swerve to avoid a crash that could have been far worse.

"He just jumped over the median," said Anthony McCollough, who saw the crash. "From there, (the officer) went all the way straight to the building."

"He was just trying to do his job and catch the bad guy," said Indianapolis police Lt. Jeff Duhamell. "Unfortunately, even with red lights and sirens, sometimes people just don't see or hear. Those things happen. Fortunately, nobody else was injured. Unfortunately, the bad guy got away."

The man Cooper was chasing after a theft from the City Trends store got away in a tan or silver Pontiac Bonneville with a temporary license plate in the window, police said.

Cooper was taken to Methodist Hospital with a serious leg injury. His injuries were not believed to be life-threatening.