PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A suspect faces criminal charges after being shot and wounded by police.

It happened just after noon Saturday, when a Kentucky State Police trooper pulled over a car believed to be driven by a wanted suspect on U.S. 119, in Pike County.

After confirming that the driver — Austin Fields, 29, of Varney — was the suspect, police say Fields fled the traffic stop, That led to a pursuit along Route 881, then onto a dirt road at Varney, where the car became inoperable.

Police say Fields then got out of the car and turned toward police with a gun. Shots were fired and Fields was hit. He was airlifted from the scene to Pikeville Medical Center for treatment of injuries.

Fields has now been charged with two counts of wanton endangerment.

The incident remains under investigation by Kentucky State Police.