A Hawaii island police officer was injured Monday while approaching a vehicle that had fled from a traffic stop in Hilo.

According to police, patrol officers tried to stop a car on Kanoelehua Avenue near Kawili Street about 12:40 a.m. The vehicle pulled away without stopping, but the officers later located it in a parking lot off Lihiwai Street a few minutes later.

As the officers approached, the driver of the vehicle again tried to drive away and the vehicle struck the police car, police said.

Two male occupants fled on foot.

One of the officers sustained “substantial but non-life-threatening injuries,” and was transported to Hilo Medical Center, according to police.

Detectives have identified a possible suspect and are continuing the investigation.

Police ask anyone who witnessed the incident to call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Clarence Davies at 961-2384 or clarence.davies@hawaiicounty.gov.