HOUSTON—A man was rushed to Ben Taub in critical condition after a motorcycle crash on the Gulf Freeway.

It happened just after 2 a.m. Friday near the Beltway 8 exit ramp.

Police said the motorcyclist tried to take the east exit ramp, but he was going too fast.

He slammed into a retaining wall and was thrown from his bike.

Police said the bike flew almost 1,000 feet down the freeway before coming to a stop.

Ramps from the Gulf Freeway to the Beltway were closed until 6 a.m. while officers investigated.