Les Borsheim, a defender and forward for the Colorado Eagles hockey team, was in critical condition Monday at North Colorado Medical Center in Greeley after a motorcycle crash in rural Weld County on Sunday afternoon.
“He is in the intensive-care unit in critical condition,” said Gene Haffner, director of public relations for the hospital.
Chris Stewart, head coach of the Eagles, said Borsheim’s family is driving from Saskatchewan, Canada, to Greeley. He said the team offered to fly them to Greeley, but they said they would rather drive.
“They have a 16-hour drive. They are . . . driving here with a heavy weight on their shoulders,” Stewart said. “We are thinking about him. Our prayers and thoughts are with him.”
According to the Colorado State Patrol, Borsheim, 29, who lives in Windsor, was on a red 1987 Harley-Davidson motorcycle that failed to make a right-hand curve at Weld County roads 60.5 and 55.
The motorcycle went off the left side of Weld County Road 60.5, and Borsheim was thrown from the cycle, which continued on its own before crashing.
The patrol said Borsheim was not wearing a helmet but did have proper eye protection.
Alcohol is suspected as a contributing factor, said the State Patrol.
It said Borsheim was cited for driving while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, a misdemeanor; misdemeanor careless driving; and violating restrictions on a driver’s license, a Class A traffic infraction.
However, the team said that although police cite alcohol as a factor in the accident, the Eagles organization cannot confirm that and will wait “for the case to play itself out.”
Stewart said Borsheim had an outstanding year in his sixth year as a professional.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
