PONTOON BEACH, Ill. (AP) — Officials say a southwestern Illinois police officer will need several surgeries after a head-on crash that killed the other driver.

The mayor of Pontoon Beach says Officer Lee Brousseau was in surgery for several hours to fix broken bones in his legs after Thursday’s crash.

The (Belleville) News-Democrat reports police say a pickup truck driven by 33-year-old Daniel Bell crossed into oncoming traffic on Illinois 111, collided with Brousseau’s squad car and burst into flames. Bell died at the scene.

Police say the 45-year-old officer was flown to a St. Louis hospital for treatment.

Pagano says Brousseau is a tough man and those in the city are praying for his full recovery.