PULASKI COUNTY, MO — A motorcyclist sustained serious injuries in a crash involving a tractor-trailer on eastbound Interstate 44 on Saturday at 5:48 p.m.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, a 34-year-old man from Lockport, New York, was driving the tractor-trailer when a tire failure caused the vehicle to cross into the median, overturn, and ignite near the 157-mile marker.
Debris from the overturned truck struck two Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the westbound lanes. A 52-year-old man from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was seriously injured and was flown to Mercy Hospital Springfield. He was reportedly wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
A second motorcyclist, a 60-year-old man from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, was not injured. The truck driver incurred minor injuries and sought his own medical treatment after the incident. He was wearing a seat belt.
The tractor-trailer was deemed a total loss and was towed from the scene. One motorcycle sustained moderate damage while the other suffered minor damage; both were driven away.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident. Lane closures were in effect following the crash.