Less than an hour after crashing his motorcycle on I-78 in Allentown, state Sen. Pat Browne had a blood-alcohol content of 0.09, court records indicate.

Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Browne, R-Lehigh (lehighvalleylive.com file photo)

On Friday, Pennsylvania State Police filed charges of driving under the influence and driving vehicle at a safe speed against Browne, 51. Penalties begin for most drivers at a BAC of 0.08.

The Republican lawmaker has represented parts of the Lehigh Valley in the state Legislature for almost two decades. He chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee.

On Saturday, Browne was speeding on the Interstate 78 westbound off-ramp to Lehigh Street in Allentown when he crashed his 2011 Harley-Davidson motorcycle about 4:33 p.m., court documents indicate.

When police arrived, Browne was sitting on a guard rail, documents say. He told police that he slid on cinders and crashed. Browne smelled of alcohol and his speech was slow and slurred, police said.

Initially, Browne told police that he was uninjured. Following the crash, he would be hospitalized for several days with serious injuries.

Browne failed a field sobriety test and in the middle of performing a second test Browne told police he was injured. The test was cut short and Browne was taken by ambulance to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township.

At 5:14 p.m., state police witnesses a nurse draw blood from Browne, which was then screened for drugs and alcohol, records state.

State police received a report Thursday revealing Browne's BAC.

State GOP leaders said earlier this week that Browne was placed in the intensive care unit at the hospital. In a statement Friday, Browne said he's received excellent medical care and is recuperating in an area physical therapy facility.

Browne apologized to his family, colleagues and constituents and thanked all those who have reached out to him since the crash.

"I am extremely grateful that no one else was hurt," Browne said. "I am deeply passionate about my legislative work and humbled to represent the 16th Senatorial District."

Browne has previously been charged twice with drunk driving, but the most recent of those two cases was 1999.

"It is no secret that I have battled issues relating to alcohol in the past," Browne said. "Every day requires me to vigilantly control my disease, and I am dedicated to seeking help to regain a solid grasp of my illness."

Senate GOP President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and Majority Leader Jake Corman said in accordance with Senate rules Senate Appropriations Committee Vice-Chairwoman Kim Ward will take Browne's place until he returns.

"Pat Browne is an important part of our leadership team and we are confident that he will be back to Harrisburg as soon as he has recovered," they said in a joint statement.

The statement says Scarnati and Corman are pleased Browne was released from the hospital Thursday and is recovering.

"We offer our prayers for Pat as he works to recuperate," the statement says.