Three motorcyclists were killed less than 10 hours apart in crashes in Minnesota, authorities said Monday.

The most recent wreck, involving a motorcycle and an SUV, happened about 6:40 a.m. Monday roughly 5 miles east of Milan in west-central Minnesota, according to the State Patrol.

Killed was a 58-year-old man from Paynesville, Minn., according to the State Patrol. The SUV driver, a 24-year-old man from Arlington, Minn., was not hurt. Details about how the crash occurred have yet to be released.

Another motorcyclist was killed about 2:30 a.m. Monday at the East River Road ramp to Interstate 694 in Fridley, the patrol said.

The victim was a 37-year-old man from Fridley, according to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office. His name was being withheld pending notification of family.

The man was heading north on East River Road and hit a traffic signal pole at I-694, the Sheriff's Office said.

Shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday, a 50-year-old motorcyclist crashed on a highway east of New Richland in southern Minnesota, the patrol said.

The victim, from Ellendale, Minn., was heading east on Hwy. 30 near County Road 63, crossed over the opposite lane and crashed along the side of the road, according to the patrol.

The motorcyclist, whose identity has yet to be released, was not wearing a helmet, the patrol said.

Despite what is now four motorcycle fatalities in the state in the past week, the 28 deaths so far this year are far fewer than the 41 at the same point last year, according to Department of Public Safety records.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482