BUTLER TWP — Police are investigating a motorcycle crash Wednesday night that critically injured a Mercer County man.

John Ficca, 23, of Grove City was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital following the accident about 9:15 p.m. on Crisswell Road, authorities said.

Butler Township police said Ficca suffered “severe facial and head injuries.” His condition Thursday was not available.

Ficca, who was wearing a helmet, lost control of his 2004 Harley-Davidson while southbound on Crisswell Road and traveling around a right-hand bend, according to investigators.

Ficca was thrown off the vehicle and hit a drainage pipe. The bike slid about 55 feet before hitting a concrete property marker, police said. The cycle slid another eight feet or so and struck a ditch embankment.

Police said a friend on a motorcycle was following Ficca and saw the crash. The two were headed to another friend's house.

The friend on the trailing motorcycle reportedly told police that he did not believe Ficca was speeding when he wrecked.

A Butler Ambulance Service crew tended to the victim before they took him to Butler Memorial Hospital. He was later flown to Allegheny General Hospital.