Motorcyclist taken to hospital after crashing in Waite Park

A motorcyclist was taken to a hospital with serious injuries after crashing in Waite Park on Monday.

According to Waite Park Police, a Stearns County deputy saw a motorcycle making unsafe lane changes in the 1400 block of Division Street at 9:19 p.m. The deputy activated his squad’s lights but the motorcyclist pulled into a parking lot and then fled out of the lot at a high rate of speed, going the wrong way on Division Street.

The deputy lost sight of the motorcycle and didn’t pursue, police said.

A short time later, officers were notified that a motorcycle crashed near 58 Division Street West. Authorities determined it was the same motorcycle that fled from the deputy.

Police said it appeared the motorcyclist lost control when attempting to cross the median and struck a street sign. He was identified as 31-year-old Justin Fischer, of St. Joseph.

Fischer was taken to a hospital in critical condition.

The crash remains under investigation.