JEFFERSON COUNTY — A 36-year-old Missouri man was airlifted to a regional hospital Friday afternoon after he was struck by a vehicle on Interstate 57 as he was merging on his motorcycle from Veterans Memorial Drive in Mt. Vernon.

According to Illinois State Police, around 3:40 p.m. Friday, Nathan C. Pease was merging his 2015 Harley-Davidson motorcycle onto the interstate when a 2005 Chevrolet driven by 46-year-old Gerald D. Mullins failed to yield the right of way to the through lanes of traffic as he merged.

Mullins’ vehicle struck the side of Pease’s motorcycle causing it to fall onto its side and eject Pease.

Pease was initially transported by ambulance to a local hospital and was subsequently flown to a regional hospital by medical helicopter.

Mullins was uninjured and was cited for failure to yield while merging.

Two lanes of southbound I-57 were closed for approximately 30 minutes for crash investigation and scene cleanup. The motorcycle was towed from the scene.