University Police officer Jeff Herra is in critical condition at Rockford Memorial Hospital after suffering a head injury during an early Thursday morning altercation.

Herra was chasing a speeding vehicle on Annie Glidden Road when the car stopped and two suspects got out and began to flee, said Mark McGowan, of NIU public affairs.

Herra caught up with one of the suspects, Shawn Vanmeter, 29, of DeKalb. Herra and Vanmeter, the driver of the car, were tussling before Herra fell back and struck his head, McGowan said.

After the altercation, Herra was taken to Kishwaukee Community Hospital before being flown to Rockford Memorial. Jim Dillow, nursing supervisor at Rockford Memorial, said Herra still was in critical condition as of 3 p.m. Thursday.

Vanmeter is charged with DUI, reckless driving, eluding an officer and obstructing a peace officer. He currently is being held in the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office on a $100,000 bond. Vanmeter has a bond reduction hearing today, said Sheriff’s Deputy Knetsch.

It is unknown what charges passenger Michael McGinnis is facing.

University Police Sgt. Samuel-Louis Bandy describes Herra as a wonderful guy, fit and healthy.

“He has a lot of enthusiasm … we all wish him the best,” Bandy said.