WISCONSIN RAPIDS — A south Wood County man is in critical condition at the Marshfield Medical Center after his motorcycle hit a deer. The crash occurred at 7 p.m. on Highway Z at Silver Canoe Drive in the Wood County town of Saratoga.

According to the Wood County Sheriff’s Department, a 51-year-old Wisconsin Rapids man was traveling with a passenger when the collision occurred. The driver was ejected from the bike and suffered critical injuries as a result of the crash. He was airlifted by Life Link Three to the Marshfield Medical Center. The passenger suffered minor injuries, and was transported to Aspirus Riverview Hospital. The patient—a minor–was treated and then released. Speed and alcohol are not believed to be factors in the crash.

Names will be released later today.