photo by: Douglas County Sheriff's Office

A 29-year-old man suffered serious injuries in a motorcycle crash Thursday evening on East 661 Diagonal Road.

A 29-year-old man was seriously injured in a motorcycle crash Thursday after he swerved to avoid turkeys on the road, according to a news release from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

The man was flown by helicopter ambulance to a Kansas City-area hospital after the crash near Lone Star Lake. He was traveling southwest on East 661 Diagonal Road when the crash occurred just after 5 p.m.

Deputies said the man was wearing full protective gear, including a helmet, which likely kept his injuries from being worse, the release said.

The sheriff’s office reminded motorists to be aware of wildlife near roads this time of year, including turkeys and deer.