Emergency personnel responded shortly after 12:30 p.m. Sunday to a motorcycle crash with injuries in the area of 7800 Triple Lakes Road north of Columbia in rural St. Clair County.

The St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department said a juvenile called 911 to report the crash. Upon arrival, deputies found a black 2005 Yamaha Roadster lying in a gravel driveway with John James Sr. of Swansea lying on his back in the middle of the driveway.

James was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, police said, and had a 13-year-old passenger. James sustained facial injuries and the juvenile had a possible arm injury.

“The actual cause of the crash was unknown,” Capt. Bruce Fleshren said. “It was not determined if there was a mechanical failure or road debris that caused the driver to lose control of the motorcycle.” 

James and the juvenile were both transported to Mercy South Hospital in St. Louis County by Columbia EMS.