PORTLAND, OR – A terrifying encounter on a Portland roadway nearly ended in tragedy when a young motorcyclist was struck by a van in what police say was a deliberate act. The harrowing incident, caught on a passing driver’s dashcam, has left a family shaken and a community demanding justice.
The video, which quickly spread through social media, shows a Kia Carnival van suddenly veering into the path of the 21-year-old rider. In the blink of an eye, the van slams into the motorcycle, sending the rider flying across the pavement before the van speeds off without stopping.
Family members say the young man had been trying to get the driver’s attention after repeated close calls on the road, hoping to prevent an accident. Instead, a fleeting moment of eye contact between the two was followed by a violent swerve that changed everything.
The force of the impact was so great that the bike’s clutch lever pierced the side of the rider’s steel-toed boot. Despite the severity of the crash, the motorcyclist survived, thanks in part to his helmet, which was left badly cracked.
A witness who rushed to the rider’s side after the crash described staying with him until help arrived, motivated by the thought of how she would want someone to care for her own child in a similar situation.
Police wasted no time in seeking help from the public. A tip led them to the damaged van, and officers arrested the suspect, Samir Helio Pasotto Philo, as he attempted to drive away. Investigators say the driver had a history of reckless behavior behind the wheel in the days before the incident.
Pasotto Philo now faces a series of charges, including assault, hit-and-run, reckless driving, attempted assault, and unlawful use of a weapon.
For the victim’s family, the ordeal has been both traumatizing and eye-opening. They are grateful for his survival but deeply troubled by the deliberate nature of the attack.
The investigation continues, with authorities urging anyone with information to come forward.