CHOCOWINITY — A victim of a motorcycle crash in Chocowinity is said to be in critical condition after wrecking on Highway 17 Bypass in Beaufort County on Tuesday night.

According to N.C. Highway Patrol Trooper Anthony Autry, the crash took place around 7:40 p.m. just north of U.S. Highway 17 Bypass in Chocowinity. Forty-three-year-old Stewart Acklin of Chocowinity was airlifted from the scene to Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, and as of 9 a.m. yesterday, still in critical condition.

Both speed and alcohol are suspected factors in the crash, Autry said.

“Obviously, there was speed and alcohol involved,” Autry said. “(Acklin) ran off the road to the right, hit a sign and was ejected from the motorcycle.”

Autry did not comment on why alcohol and speed were suspected causes of the crash and could not say what charges Acklin would face due to an ongoing investigation of the wreck.

There were no other vehicles involved in the accident, he said.