CLEVELAND -- An officer is in critical condition after an accident on Interstate 71 Monday afternoon.

The accident occurred on I-71 between Bagley and Snow roads in Middleburg Heights.

NewsChannel5 reported that the accident occurred after a Middleburg Heights police officer pulled over a motorist for a traffic violation along the side of I-71.

SLIDESHOW: I-71 Accident Injures Police Officer, Motorist

When he exited his cruiser, the officer noticed a red pickup truck drifting across several lanes of traffic.

The officer, 30-year-old Ryan Nagy, tried to get out of the way of the truck but was unable to do so. The truck slammed into the cruiser, pinning the officer between the two vehicles.

The officer and the pickup's driver were taken by helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center. The pickup driver is in fair condition.

The accident closed the highway in both directions for part of the afternoon.

The State Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.