PORTLAND -- A Portland barber lost his leg in an accident with an alleged drunk driver and police said the driver had been arrested for DUI before.

Robert Schlick was riding his Harley motorcycle to work at his downtown barbershop Monday morning when his life intersected with Paul Conklin, who police said was driving drunk and veered into the oncoming lane.

Schlick said he “laid down his bike” to avoid hitting Conklin head-on along Scholl’s Ferry Road, and the impact shattered his leg.

"It's kind of an instinct. You realize you're going to have to sacrifice the bike for yourself. Had I continued on, I probably would have impaled myself on the car,” Schlick told KGW.

The crash cost Schlick his left leg and it may cost 22-year-old Conklin five years or more in prison.

Meantime, Conklin’s family told KGW they know his son feels sorry for what he did, but he needs help.

"He's got problems. He's got issues and he needs to address them and it's unfortunate that this is the way it's going to happen,” said.

If toxicology tests prove what police suspect – that Conklin was drinking and driving – it would not be the first time. In June of 2007, Conklin was arrested for the same offense. Court records indicated that he pleaded ‘no contest,’ underwent alcohol treatment and even listened to victims discuss the impact of DUI on their lives.

At this point, Conklin has not been charged with any crimes and authorities with the Washington County Sheriff’s office said his case will likely go to a grand jury next week with prosecutors also seeking assault charges.

As for Schlick, doctors said there is a good chance he’ll be able to eventually use a prosthetic.

In the window of Schlick’s barbershop, a clock promises a return in the morning. But next to the clock; a note says Bob won’t be back any time soon, his life forever changed.

(KGW reporter Scott Burton also contributed to this article.)