A Green Ridge man had to be flown from the scene of a traffic crash involving wildlife in Lafayette County on Thursday.
According to a report from the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred as a westbound vehicle, driven by 51-year-old James Couchman, reportedly struck a deer in the roadway, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck a tree.
Couchman, who reportedly was not wearing a seat belt, was flown by Life Flight air ambulance to Centerpoint Hospital in Independence for treatment of serious injuries.
The crash happened at 6:40 p.m. on Route YY, east of Missouri Highway 13.