ALOHA, OR (KPTV) -
Police say alcohol may have played a role in a crash that now has an Aloha man fighting for his life.
Washington County deputies responded to the accident scene at SW 170th Avenue and Tualatin Valley Highway just before 9:30 p.m. Friday. That's where they found Brant Schwoch, 53, badly injured after he struck a railroad crossing arm while riding his motorcycle.
Police said the impact was great enough to break the counterweight of the arm in half.
Witnesses told police it was the motorcyclist's second accident in the same evening. Earlier, a few blocks away, they helped Schwoch pick up his motorcycle after he had crashed it.
They also reported smelling a strong smell of alcohol.
The witnesses said Schwoch then got back on his motorcycle and took off at a high rate of speed.
After hitting the railroad crossing arm, Schwoch was transported to OHSU, where he is listed in critical condition.
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