WILLIAMSON COUNTY - A Southern Illinois motorcyclist sustained life-threatening injuries Sunday afternoon when his bike overturned several times on Galatia Post Road near the Revere Street intersection, about seven miles northeast of Marion.

Assistant Chief Jeremy Norris with the Williamson County Fire Protection District said Louis Tripp was transported by helicopter to St. Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau, courtesy of the Air Evac Lifeteam in Marion.

Norris said an eyewitness to the accident said Tripp hit the brakes suddenly to avoid an animal crossing the roadway, then lost control of his motorcycle.

Norris said Tripp was not wearing a helmet and did sustain a head injury. Although no official condition report was available through the hospital, a bikers' Web site references the accident and reports Tripp has been stabilized after suffering a fractured skull and an assortment of other injuries.

Tripp's age and residence were not available at press time. The Williamson County Sheriff's Department handled the accident.

- John Homan