Speed and alcohol are believed to be factors in a crash between a motorcycle and an SUV that sent the rider to hospital in potentially life-threatening condition and briefly closed roads Friday afternoon.

Police and paramedics were called to the southbound lanes of Macleod Trail and Mission Road S.W. after 1:30 p.m. after the motorcycle crashed into the back of the SUV.

“According to witnesses, he was travelling at a high rate of speed and slammed into the back of an SUV at Mission Road,” said Staff Sgt. Paul Stacey with the traffic section. “We believe alcohol is a factor, as is speed.”

An EMS unit that happened to be in the area and already had one stable patient on board reported the crash to 911 and was first at the scene, said EMS spokesman Stuart Brideaux.

The motorcyclist, a man in his late 20s, was taken to Foothills Hospital in potentially life-threatening condition.

The SUV’s two occupants were not hurt and did not need to be taken to hospital.

The southbound lanes at that intersection were closed for several hours following the crash.