OSP: Alcohol Played a Role in Motorcycle Crash

More than 1 in 4 - 27 percent - motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were alcohol-impaired.

Oregon State Police are continuing the investigation into Saturday evening's serious injury motorcycle traffic crash on Highway 224 east of Estacada. Salem-News.com File Photo

(ESTACADA, Ore. ) - Oregon State Police are continuing the investigation into Saturday evening's serious injury motorcycle traffic crash on Highway 224 east of Estacada.

Alcohol is a contributing factor in this crash.

At approximately 8:30 p.m., a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle operated by 38-year-old Eric L. Colliander, from Oregon City, was traveling westbound on Highway 224 near milepost 31 when left the highway on the north side shoulder into a ditch. Colliander was ejected from the motorcycle and landed on bordering boulders.

Colliander was transported by LifeFlight to Legacy Emanuel Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. He was wearing a helmet.

Subsequent investigation led OSP to cited him into Clackamas County Circuit Court for Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants. Trooper Scott McLeod is the lead investigator.

OSP was assisted at the scene by Clackamas County Sheriff's Office and Estacada Rural Fire District #69. The highway was opened about an hour after the crash.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, in fatal crashes in 2012, a higher percentage of motorcycle riders had blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) of .08 grams per deciliter or higher than any other type of motor vehicle driver.

More than 1 in 4 (27 percent) motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were alcohol-impaired.

Source: Oregon State Police

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