A Minnesota sheriff's deputy was stopped on an interstate when he was hit by an SUV driver and critically injured, officials said Tuesday.

The wreck involving the two SUVs occurred about 4:30 p.m. Sunday on westbound Interstate 90 in Dewald Township, the State Patrol said.

Nobles County Sheriff's Deputy Arnold Logan Waldner, 30, of nearby Worthington, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, Sheriff Ryan Kruger said.

"Please pray for our brother as he has a long road of recovery ahead of him," a statement from the sheriff's office read.

Patrol Sgt. Troy Christianson said Tuesday morning that Waldner remains in critical condition.

The other driver, 63-year-old Theresa Ann Bear, of Sioux Falls was hospitalized with less serious injuries. Bear had on her seat belt.

Christianson said Waldner was parked while he was assisting the patrol with traffic direction in the area when the crash occurred. The patrol said he did not have on his seat belt at the time of impact.

Waldner has been with the sheriff's office for two years, Kruger said.