BROOKS, Ore. -- The Oregon State Police said a crash involving several motorcycles injured three people, one critically.

Sergeant Dale Young said the riders who crashed Sunday on Interstate 5 were part of an organized ride to a funeral that started in Medford. Others joined the initial group as the ride progressed.

Young said the accident happened when mototcyclist Patrick Lucas, 37, of Molalla, attempted to join the group just north of Brooks. Witnesses told police Lucas tried to merge into the middle of the pack, rather than the back.

His motorcycle collided with another motorcycle operated by Jerry Worthington, 69, of Montana and they both went down on the highway.

A third bike operated by John Jensen, 60, of Wilderville, Ore., ran over the top of their spill. And a fourth motorcycle operated by Patrick Treece, 56, of Coos Bay, also got tangled in the wreckage.

Lucas was taken by ambulance to Salem Hospital with minor injuries. Jensen was also hospitalized with serious injuries. And Worthington was flown in a LifeFlight helicopter to Oregon Health and Science University with critical injuries.