A high-speed police pursuit involving two motorcycles ended in a violent crash, sending one rider to the hospital with serious injuries.

Wakarusa Police tried to stop two motorcycles near State Road 19 and Nelson Parkway just before 9:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 12. Both riders fled, prompting a chase that was later joined by Nappanee Police.

One of the motorcycles, a 2009 Yamaha FZ6 driven by a 21-year-old Pierceton man turned onto Market Street at a high rate of speed. At the same time, a 2015 Chevrolet Equinox driven by a 26-year Nappanee woman was turning onto Market Street from Morningside Drive and did not see the oncoming motorcycle.

The Yamaha struck the front passenger side of the SUV. Despite the collision, the motorcycle continued several hundred feet before the Pierceton man lost control. He was ejected and thrown through the air.

He was airlifted to the hospital with a possible broken wrist and lacerations to his face and head. Gillis was uninjured.

The Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office is handling the crash investigation. The police pursuit is under separate review by both the Nappanee and Wakarusa Police Departments.