A motorcyclist sustained serious injuries Saturday evening in a crash involving a tractor-trailer on eastbound Interstate 44 in Pulaski County.
The incident occurred at 5:48 p.m. near the 157-mile marker, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol. A 34-year-old man from Lockport, New York, was driving the eastbound tractor-trailer when a tire failure caused the vehicle to overturn and catch fire.
Debris from the crash entered the westbound lanes, striking two Harley-Davidson motorcycles. A 52-year-old man from South Milwaukee, Wisconsin, suffered serious injuries and was airlifted to Mercy Hospital Springfield. He was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
The second motorcyclist, a 60-year-old man from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, was not injured. The truck driver, who was wearing a seat belt, reported minor injuries and sought medical treatment independently.
Authorities reported the tractor-trailer was totaled and towed from the scene. One motorcycle sustained moderate damage while the other received minor damage; both were driven away from the scene. Investigations are ongoing.