A Crisfield police officer has been placed on administrative leave while state police investigate a shooting of a motorist in the Somerset County town Saturday night.

Crisfield Police Chief Clarence Bell said the shooting occurred after Officer Brent Conner acted to stop a car with a malfunctioning headlight at 9:30 p.m.

The car did not stop at first, the chief reported. When it did, it backed into the cruiser driven by Officer Conner, the chief said.

The car's driver, Mack Merrill, 20, allegedly ran into a wooded area between two houses where the officer chased him before the shooting occurred, police said.

Mr. Merrill was hospitalized and listed in stable condition last night.