PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A motorcyclist who was seriously wounded in a hit-and-run Thursday night in Aloha said the violent crash was caused on purpose.
The man accused of causing the crash, Stephen Matthew Lister, was arrested Friday afternoon on 2 counts of attempted murder, according to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies responded to reports of a Kawasaki motorcycle that had been hit by a car just before 8 p.m. near the intersection of Southwest Blanton Street and Southwest 175th Avenue.
Officials said they found the motorcycle in the bushes alongside the road but the car had fled the scene.
The 2 people who had been riding the motorcycle were lying in the street. Investigators said the impact threw them about 100 feet.
The riders — Chris and Jackielyn Baumgardner — were transported to a local hospital with severe injuries.
Detectives obtained an arrest warrant and found the alleged driver — 25-year-old Lister — in the 5800 block of Southwest 170th Avenue.
Chris, who is now recovering in a wheelchair, told KOIN 6 News that he knew Stephen and had even given him a car in the past.
“He ended up selling the car and getting some bad blood from the exchange,” said Chris.
Chris said Stephen was angry at him Friday night because he’s warned some young women who were with Stephen that Stephen had a criminal history.
Chris said he and his wife left on their motorcycle after Stephen made a gun motion at them with his hand.
But Stephen circled the block and then rammed the couple from behind at about 70 miles per hour, according to Chris.
“All I remember is seeing the emblem of the car and him in the driver’s seat,” said Chris. “Then it was over — I just saw the concrete like 6 times.”
A neighbor said she watched as the motorcycle was pushed into her lawn and Jackielyn fell onto the road, while Chris landed on a grass lot across the street.
“I saw this man flipping through the air,” said Karisa White. “I ran out calling 911. Dispatch was trying to make sure the lady was breathing.”
The couple has a long, hard road to recovery ahead of them. Chris said he’s struggling to stand and will need extensive physical therapy. His wife, meanwhile, can’t stand at all.
“She got paralyzed from the neck down,” Chris said through tears. “She can move her arms, that’s it.”
Jackielyn’s mom said her daughter has 4 kids who need her.
“Everybody pray,” said Ruth Lee. “She needs to live and walk.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with the expenses.
Lister was booked into the Washington County Jail. His bail was set at $500,000.
Authorities are still looking for the car — a 2004 or 2005 silver Chevy Malibu. If you know where it is, please call 503.629.0111.
