Man transported via Flight for Life after motorcycle vs. car crash

TOWN OF POLK -- Officials say a 29-year-old Janesville man was taken to the hospital via Flight for Life after a motorcycle vs. car crash Sunday May 20th just after 3:00 a.m. Officials say a motorcycle rear ended a passenger vehicle.

The crash happened on U.S. Highway 45 northbound.

Washington County Sheriff's officials have identified the motorcycle's driver as Nathan Roush of Janesville.

Officials say the motorcycle came to rest in the left lane of U.S. Highway 45 northbound, approximately 100 ft. north of the operator. The passenger car stopped in the median further north of the motorcycle, with the operator (22-year-old Chelsea Werner of Hartford) and passenger (21-year-old Jeremy Ward of Willowbrook, IL) standing outside the vehicle.

The investigation shows both the motorcycle and passenger vehicle were traveling northbound on 45 in the left lane approaching Western Ave. For an unknown reason, Roush rear ended the passenger car traveling at normal highway speeds.

The motorcycle slid to a stop, and Roush was ejected into the median of the highway. Werner slowed the passenger vehicle to a stop north of where the motorcycle came to rest in the left lane of traffic.

Officials say Roush was not wearing a helmet and sustained serious injury.

Werner and Ward in the car were both wearing seatbelts and were not injured.

Officials say alcohol and speed are contributing factors, with the motorcycle operation only. There were no traffic violations by the operator of the involved passenger car.

45 northbound was closed to through traffic during the investigation for approximately one hour.

The condition of the crash victims is not known at this time. The investigation is ongoing.

Monitor FOX6News and FOX6Now.com for updates on this developing story.