(KLZA))-- A St. Joseph teenager suffered serious injures in a single-vehicle wreck on Highway 159 Tuesday afternoon about 3 miles south of Forest City, Missouri.

The Missouri Highway Patrol reports 18-year-old Austin St. Ama was driving a motorcycle when he swerved to avoid a deer. The motorcycle went off the side of the road, returned to the roadway,overturned and skidded off the other side of the road, ejecting the driver.

St. Ama was transported by private vehicle for medical treatment prior to the troopers arrival. He was taken to the Mosaic Life Care Hospital in St. Joseph.

The motorcycle was totaled.

The Holt County Sheriff's Department assisted at the scene of the wreck.

The wreck was reported around 12:45 Tuesday afternoon.