A 23-year-old Wathena man is in serious condition after a motorcycle accident on the Belt Highway just north of Mitchell Thursday night.

Traffic Sergeant Chris McBane of the St Joseph Police Department says Jeremy Mowry, 23, was riding a “wheelie” in the left lane of the Belt Highway and lost control of the bike. His helmet came off during the crash and he hit the pavement as the bike slid into the oncoming lanes.

The Belt Highway was closed in both directions between Lafayette and Penn streets for nearly two hours shortly before 8pm.

Sergeant McBane says Mowry will be cited for careless driving at a later time.   Mowry is in serious but stable condition at Heartland.