Daughter gives update after Portsmouth motorcycle rider seriously injured by alleged drunk driver

An update has been released on the victim’s condition concerning a motorcycle crash in Portsmouth that led to an arrest.

According to Deputy Chief of Police Michael Morse, at just after 4:15 p.m. on Friday, Portsmouth Police responded to a serious motorcycle crash at the intersection of West Main Road (Route 114) and Stringham Road. 

The motorcycle operator sustained serious injuries after being struck by a motor vehicle operated by 38-year-old Lesslie McDowell of Johnston. The motorcycle was turning left onto West Main Road to begin heading northbound from Stringham Road when it was struck by McDowell’s vehicle, which was traveling southbound on West Main Road.

McDowell was arrested on suspicion of DUI. 

The motorcycle operator was transported by the Portsmouth Fire Department to Rhode Island Hospital.

According to the victim’s daughter, Tiffany, and a GoFundMe fundraiser, 65-year-old Mark Smith of Portsmouth is currently in the Trauma ICU at RI Hospital. He has a fractured skull, multiple broken ribs, his lower left leg has a compound fracture, the bone came through his skin and his femur is broken. She states that Smith has worked at Waste Management in Newport, RI for well over 40 years and due to his injuries, it will be some time before he can return to work if at all.

Tiffany described her dad as one of the kindest people you could ever meet.

“He has a heart of gold and would give the shirt off his back in the middle of a blizzard if you needed it. His smile and laughter, lights up every room he walks in! I’ve never met anyone who knows my dad, that doesn’t say the same about him!”

The incident remains under investigation.