The sheriff said one man is in critical condition and a second man is in serious condition after they were thrown from a car in a double motorcycle crash near McHenry Friday night.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, McHenry Police Department and McHenry Township Fire Protection District responded to a one-vehicle crash with injuries in the area of ​​Chapel Hill Road south of Route 120 in the unincorporated community of McHenry at approximately 6:24 p.m. Friday.

Sheriff’s officials said a preliminary investigation revealed that a 2008 Harley Davidson Dyna and a 2006 Harley Davidson Softail were traveling north on Chapel Hill Road.

The motorcycles were driven by a 42-year-old man from McHenry and a 39-year-old man from Wonder Lake.

They were riding in staggered formation, with the Harley Davidson Dyna on the left in front of the Harley Davidson Softail, the sheriff’s office said.

The motorcycles veered off the road to the right and drove into the ditch, where both riders were thrown out.

The motorcycles did not touch each other during the accident. A rescue helicopter was requested, but could not be deployed due to the weather conditions.

Sheriff’s officials said the driver of the Harley Davidson Dyna was taken to Northwestern Medicine Hospital in McHenry and later transferred to Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville. He is in critical condition.

The driver of the Harley Davidson Softail was also taken to Northwestern Medicine Hospital and is in serious but stable condition.

The drivers were not wearing helmets and alcohol and speed were likely the causes of the accident, the sheriff’s office said.

Chapel Hill Road between Route 120 and North River Road was closed for several hours until the early morning hours on Saturday.

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office Major Traffic Accident Investigation Division’s investigation is ongoing.