Police are searching for a Mercedes SUV that ran a stop sign on Steele Gap Road and caused a sheriff's vehicle to crash Thursday afternoon, according to Bridgewater Township Police Sgt. Gregory Duane.

According to Duane, the crash, which occurred around 2:30 p.m., involved a Somerset County Sheriff's vehicle that was driving east on Foothill Road. Duane said a white Mercedes SUV ran the stop sign at Steele Gap Road as the sheriff's vehicle was passing.

"The sheriff's officer swerved to avoid this car, ran off the road and struck a fire hydrant," Duane said.

Duane said there was no contact between the two vehicles and the officer in the sheriff's vehicle was not injured in the incident.

But, Duane said, police are searching for the Mercedes SUV that has an unknown Delaware registration. Duane said police do not have a license plate number for the vehicle.

Any witnesses to the incident can call Duane at 908-722-4111, ext. 4107.