officer shoots man during a routine traffic stop......

MT/ JULIET, Tenn. - A police officer shot and injured a man after a traffic stop on Lebanon Road late Sunday night. The suspect was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

Authorities said Officer Justin Cagle stopped 44-year-old Benny Smith because of a broken taillight. Cagle asked to search the truck, and Smith agreed. Things turned violent when investigators said Cagle found a crack pipe in his truck.

The officer tried to arrest Smith and he broke free. He tried to get back in his car and appeared to reach for something. That's when Cagle opened fire, fearing Smith was trying to grab a weapon.

"The question is what if?" said Mt. Juliet Police Chief Andy Garrett. "The officer was in fear of bodily injury."

Chief Garrett said he can not disclose whether officers found a weapon in the truck or not. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate.

Officer Cagle has been temporarily placed on administrative leave while authorities look into case.