INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (KCTV) – A driver is dead and an Independence police officer is hospitalized after an early morning crash.

Police said officers attempted to stop a driver heading south on I-470 at I-70 shortly after 5 a.m. Thursday morning.

According to investigators, the driver refused to stop. As police pursued the car, the driver traveled west on I-70 and exited onto US Highway 40.

The car then made a U-turn and headed up the exit ramp.

That’s when officers said the driver crashed head-on into an Independence police car.

Additional emergency crews responded and attempted to save the driver’s life. He was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries.

The officer was also taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The extent of his injuries has not been revealed.

The accident is under investigation.

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