Radio host Laurie Roth hurt in motorcycle crash

SPOKANE — Nationally syndicated radio talk-show host Laurie Roth was seriously injured while riding a motorcycle that collided with a deer, the Washington State Patrol reports.

Roth was in serious condition today at Sacred Heart Medical Center, where she was airlifted after the crash yesterday near the entrance to Mount Spokane State Park about 15 miles northeast of Spokane. She was wearing a helmet, but had head injuries, Trooper Jeff Sevigney said.

The conservative Roth, 45, is host of "The Laurie Roth Show," which is produced in Spokane and heard on about 40 stations nationwide.

She was riding a 1980 Honda motorcycle when the collision happened, Sevigney said. Another motorcyclist who was riding in front of Roth noticed she wasn't following and turned around and found her about 3:30 p.m., Sevigney said.

Before coming to radio in Spokane, Roth was a professional singer and hosted a Public Broadcast System musical show.

Rick Still, the show's producer, said a mix of substitute hosts and reruns will be used until Roth returns.