(Union Mills, IN) - A La Porte man was seriously injured on a motorcycle last week in the Union Mills areas.  James Michaels, 52, was airlifted to a South Bend hospital after the Thursday afternoon accident on Long Lane near U.S. 6.

According to La Porte County Police, an oncoming van turned into the path of Michaels whose Honda motorcycle slammed into the passenger side of the vehicle.  Police said the driver of the van, Ron Herrold, 67, told investigators he didn’t see the oncoming motorcycle when he tried turning into his farm field.  Herrold also told investigators some of his attention was being paid to the crops he recently planted, said police.

Police said Michaels, despite the seriousness of his injuries, was speaking to emergency responders about the crash.  He had a head injury and a badly broken wrist along with injuries to his shoulder and collar bone, police said.