MARION TWP — State police say road rage is the likely cause of a serious motorcycle accident on Boyers Road Wednesday afternoon just before 1 p.m.

According to police, Darrell R. Stiefel, 58, of Boyers, the motorcyclist, was tailgating a car driven by Cody Barkley, 42, of Slippery Rock on Boyers Road.

After some jockeying, the bike tried to pass the car, police said.

Police report the bike left the side of the road but went out of control while returning to the road, falling on its right side and sliding. The driver of the car called 911.

The motorcyclist was transported by Superior Ambulance to a different location where a medical helicopter landed and flew the motorcyclist to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown, Ohio.

State police said the motorcyclist, who was wearing a half-helmet with face shield, suffered head injuries.

Stiefel was listed in critical condition at the hospital this morning.