Police in Oregon apprehended a minivan driver who reportedly hit a motorcyclist, causing him to tumble from his bike and skid 200 feet across a major highway during an apparent road rage episode.
It occurred at 6:16 a.m. Monday on westbound U.S. 26 between U.S. 217 and Cedar Hills Boulevard in Beaverton, a Portland suburb. Cops shared a video of the event recorded from a vehicle that was driving behind it. It shows the driver of the minivan and the motorcycle having an apparent verbal altercation as they travel side by side down the highway.
The minivan driver abruptly drove toward the motorcycle, sideswiping it and forcing the rider to tumble and slide across the roadway. The minivan driver then accelerated away, swerving in and out of traffic. Other drivers pulled over to assist the injured rider.
Beaverton police shared a snippet of the video on their social media platforms on Monday evening. A tip identified the driver as 41-year-old Samir Helio Pazzoto-Filho. Police said they went to a residence near the accident scene on Tuesday and discovered Pazzoto-Filho’s blue Kia Carnival with damage consistent with the event.
Pazzoto-Filho is charged with many offenses, including assault, hit-and-run, reckless driving, and unauthorized use of a firearm.
According to authorities, the victim had significant injuries but is already at home resting with family. Correy’s sister launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical expenditures. She described the aftermath of the crash.
“The impact was so severe that it launched him over 200 feet, and the force of the collision drove the gear shifter through his boots,” she wrote. “Miraculously, Correy survived. Thanks to the kindness of nearby strangers, he was quickly transported by ambulance to the hospital and received urgent medical care.”
The page also displays the victim’s scuffed jacket and helmet, as well as a boot with a hole in the toe.
Police think Pazzoto-Filho had been driving carelessly “in the days prior” to the motorcycle accident. Anyone with information is asked to contact Beaverton Police Department at 503-526-2261.
Pazzoto-Filho was still being held at the Washington County Jail on Wednesday afternoon. His next court appearance is scheduled for May 13.
