One motorcyclist was killed this weekend and a couple others seriously injured, in several separate crashes.

A Foxboro man was killed early Sunday when his motorcycle hit a cow near Superior, Wisconsin. The Duluth News Tribune reports 51-year-old Daniel Scott Russell sustained a severe head injury as well as internal injuries and was later pronounced dead at a Duluth hospital.

The 52-year-old passenger was also hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

In a separate incident, a motorcyclist was airlifted to the hospital Sunday after a crash on Interstate 94 in Wright County.

According to the Minnesota State Patrol, a "CR-V was slowing in the left lane when it rear-ended by a motorcycle."

KSTP reports the 45-year-old driver and the 11-year-old passenger in the CR-V were not injured. The incident remains under investigation.

Another crash Saturday evening on Highway 169 in Champlin sent two people to the hospital with serious injuries.

According to the State Patrol, two people were thrown off a motorcycle that struck two cars stopped in the northbound lane on U.S. Highway 169.

KSTP reports condition updates haven't been made available for either rider.

A state trooper was hurt Saturday afternoon after his squad car went off the road while responding t0 a crash involving five motorcyclists in Becker County.

The Forum News reports three motorcycles crashed along Minnesota Highway 113 near Bad Medicine Lake. The eastbound bike crossed the center line and clipped one of the two motorcycles in the westbound lane, then struck the other head on.

The state patrol notes that none of the injuries are considered to be life threatening.

Authorities say another vehicle might be involved with the crash. The State Patrol is asking for any information on "a dark maroon Oldsmobile or Buick 4-door sedan that was in the area."

The State Patrol has reported at least four other motorcycle crashes resulting in "personal injuries" involving drivers who lost control, veering off the roadway and some ending up in ditches over the weekend.

An incident classified as an "animal" crash occurred in Clay County on Sunday afternoon, involving one motorcyclist on Highway 34 west of Highway 32. More information about the crash and the driver's condition are not yet available.

The number of motorcycle deaths in Minnesota is spiking this year, according to the Department of Safety.

Making roads safer

MN Road Guard Law goes into effect Aug. 4, to help motorcyclists & motorists stay safe during motorcycle group rides. pic.twitter.com/3xRXReTZbk

The new law takes effect Tuesday, it will try to make the roads safer for larger motorcycle group rides. According to a Department of Public Safety press release, the Motorcycle Road Guard Law was passed in 2012, it has allowed more than 400 Minnesotans to be trained to act as road guards.

The role of a road guard is to flag traffic when a group of 20 motorcyclists pass through an area.

Those interested in the training, which costs $30 and is available through October, can visit motorcyclesafety.org to register. More information on motorcycle rider training courses is available at the Minnesota Department Public of Safety website.