When dashcam footage of a shocking highway assault went viral, it wasn’t just Oregonians who held their breath. Motorcyclists nationwide watched as a blue Kia Carnival minivan deliberately swerved into 21-year-old rider Correy on Beaverton’s Highway 26, launching him 200 feet off the road. The driver, 41-year-old Samir Helio Pazzoto-Filho, now faces felony charges—but his alleged history of aggression raises urgent questions about road safety for riders.
The Incident: A Road Rage Nightmare
On May 5, 2025, Pazzoto-Filho’s Kia minivan allegedly cut off Correy’s motorcycle before brake-checking him. When Correy pulled alongside to react, the dashcam shows the van lurching violently into the motorcycle, ejecting the rider onto an exit ramp. Miraculously, Correy survived with a concussion, severe road rash, and a gearshift impaling his steel-toe boot—injuries that could’ve turned fatal had he struck a barrier instead of sliding on pavement.
Beaverton Police arrested Pazzoto-Filho within hours, thanks to Florida-tagged van sightings and a flood of community tips. The vehicle’s right-side damage matched collision evidence, and officers noted his apparent lack of evasion: “He underestimated how fast we’d find him,” said veteran Officer Matt Henderson.
A Pattern of Aggression?
Pazzoto-Filho’s record hints at deeper recklessness. Public records reveal a 2024 Georgia trespassing arrest (later dropped), but more critically, Beaverton PD suspects prior road rage behavior. One Reddit user recounted a recent Highway 217 encounter with a blue Kia driver who brake-checked, swerved across lanes, and even pulled over as if to fight—actions eerily mirroring Correy’s ordeal.
“We think this fellow has been involved in this before,” Henderson stated, urging witnesses to come forward. If proven, this pattern could amplify his charges, painting Pazzoto-Filho as a habitual threat rather than a one-time offender.
Legal Reckoning: Oregon’s Measure 11 Looms
Pazzoto-Filho faces five charges, including Assault II (70-month minimum sentence) and Attempted Assault I (90-month minimum) under Oregon’s Measure 11—a strict 1994 law mandating prison time for violent crimes. Prosecutors argue the van was a “dangerous weapon,” elevating the charges beyond typical traffic violations.
For riders, this case underscores a grim reality: Vehicles can become lethal tools in seconds. Yet Correy’s helmet and gear likely spared him worse harm, reinforcing the ATGATT (All The Gear, All The Time) mantra.
Community Outcry & Rider Resilience
Correy’s family launched a GoFundMe to offset medical and bike costs, raising over $50,000 in days. His sister Brittni’s plea—“You literally tried to kill him”—resonated deeply, sparking debates on TikTok and Reddit about victim-blaming (“Shouldn’t antagonize drivers!”) versus empathy (“No excuse for violence”).
Motorcyclists nationwide voiced heightened fears. “These comments make me want to sell my bike,” one TikTok user wrote. Advocacy groups stress de-escalation tactics: Avoid eye contact, create distance, and never engage.
Lessons for Riders
- Visibility Is Survival: Ride defensively, assume drivers don’t see you, and use bright gear.
- De-Escalate, Always: Swallow pride—retaliation risks catastrophe.
- Know Your Rights: Measure 11 shows society’s low tolerance for vehicular violence. Report aggressive drivers immediately.
The Road Ahead
While Pazzoto-Filho’s trial unfolds, his case is a wake-up call. For riders, it’s a reminder to hone skills and stay vigilant. For drivers, it’s proof that cars wield deadly power—and unchecked rage has consequences.
Correy walked out of the hospital. But as long as riders share roads with potential Pazzoto-Filhos, the fight for safety is far from over.
