St. Clair man sues driver, road construction company for fall off motorcycle

A Collinsville man and a road construction company are accused of causing a St. Clair County man to crash his motorcycle on the highway.

Michael T. Conner Sr. and his wife, Rosanne Conner, filed a lawsuit March 15 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Gregory A. Farrar, Roadside Traffic Systems Inc. and Halverson Construction Company.

Conner says he was riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle west on I-55 in August 2010. As he approached East St. Louis, Conner says he was sideswiped by Farrar who was allegedly merged into Conner's lane of traffic.

Conners says he was thrown from his motorcycle in the crash, causing him to
break his leg in several places.

Conner claims Farrar merged suddenly into his lane because of road construction being done by Halverson on I-55. Conner contends Roadside Traffic Systems provided inadequate signage and warning of the road construction, thereby causing Farrar to quickly and carelessly change lanes.

The Conners are suing all three defendants for negligence and loss of consortium. They are asking for more than $300,000 in damages for medical expenses, lost wages and court costs.

Attorney Joseph A. Bartholomew, of Belleville, is representing the Conners.

St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-134