Southington Connecticut turned into a stunt show one Monday night. But the show ended abruptly. A 22-year-old man reportedly rode his motorcycle northbound, performing wheelies, when he collided with a BMW turning into McDonald’s. Eyewitnesses saw the tricks. First responders saw the aftermath. And the rider? He ended up in the hospital with serious injuries.

The moment a Connecticut motorcycle stunt turned deadly serious

Just after 8:20 p.m., the Southington man flew down Queen Street on a Yamaha MT07. A BMW 328, driven by an 18-year-old Southington resident, headed southbound and began turning into the McDonald’s lot. That’s when the crash happened.

“Witnesses reported the motorcycle was traveling erratically in the area prior to the collision,” said Sgt. Matthew Vose of the Southington Police.

How erratic? According to the reports: “traveling at high speeds and performing ‘wheelies.’” And this wasn’t a track. It was Queen Street at night, with traffic coming both ways.

When the BMW turned left across the northbound lane, the Connecticut motorcycle didn’t stand a chance. The front wheel, up in the air, killed the rider’s visibility—and reaction time. He slammed into the car.

What we know (and what we don’t) about the motorcycle crash

Police said the BMW driver wasn’t injured. The motorcyclist was transported to The Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain with serious injuries.

The street was shut down until 11 p.m. while police investigated. No charges have been filed yet. Southington PD says the case is still open. “Anyone who may have witnessed the collision” should contact Officer Badgley at 860-378-1600, extension 2468.

But this much is clear: If you’re gonna lift your front wheel off the pavement, you better hope there’s nothing in your path. Stunts belong on closed courses, not Main Street. That’s a lesson this rider won’t forget.