(Updated ) –  A St. Joseph man was rushed to the hospital Thursday morning with severe injuries after crashing his vehicle into a tree.

Emergency crews responded around 8:40 a.m. Thursday to the 2800 block of Pear St. on a single vehicle crash.

St. Joseph Police Department Traffic Officer Officer Brendon McGinnis said 49-year-old John Everett was driving westbound on Pear when his vehicle cross the road and struck a tree.

McGinnis said Everett was distracted by his phone which is what caused the accident.

Everett was extricated from his vehicle by the St. Joseph Fire Dept.

McGinnis said Everett was transported to Mosaic Life Care with severe non-life threatening injuries to his legs.

There were no passengers in the vehicle.

Police shut down traffic on Pear between 28th St. and Belt Highway for around an hour.

McGinnis said a ticket was issued in the accident.