RACINE - A 41-year-old man suffered serious injuries in a multi-vehicle crash at 15th Street and Lathrop Avenue Friday morning.

The man, whose name has not yet been released by authorities, had to be extracted from his car, according to Racine police. He was initially taken to Wheaton Franciscan-All Saints Hospital, 3801 Spring St., but was then transported by Flight for Life to Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital in Wauwatosa.

Racine fire and rescue crews and police were all called to the scene around 11:10 a.m.

Initial reports from police said the injured man was driving recklessly northbound on Lathrop Avenue. Officers were told he was attempting to pass other vehicles, and then struck a parked Racine Fire Department utility vehicle, which was occupied.

The man's car then veered into two vehicles waiting at a red light at 16th Street and Lathrop Avenue, before striking a tree in front of 1532 Lathrop Ave.

Reports from the scene said that it took Racine firefighters about 30 minutes to free the man from his car. The roof had to be cut off the car before the injured driver could be removed.

No other serious injuries were reported as a result of the crash.

photo by Mark Hertzberg / Journal Times