After son’s death, father sues company that installed tires

The ill-fated motorcyclist was going 65 to 75 mph, witness said.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — The father of a man who died on his 28th birthday from injuries he suffered in a motorcycle accident has sued a tire installer.

The lawsuit was filed Friday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court by Robert Taylor, of Virginia Trail, father of the late Lilrob Taylor and administrator of his estate.

Lilrob Taylor, of Buckeye Court, was speeding southbound on his cycle on a curve on Interstate 680 in Youngstown near state Route 711 when he lost control of his 2007 Suzuki and struck a guardrail June 23, 2007, police said. He died of his injuries July 2, 2007, in St. Elizabeth Health Center.

The suit alleges that the tire installer, MPH Maximum Performance and Handling, of Hudson, Ohio, was negligent because it falsely advised the cyclist concerning the condition and safety of the tires and the speed at which they could be operated during their “break- in” period.

The suit, which also alleges the accident occurred because the tires were unsafe, demands a jury trial and seeks damages in excess of $25,000.

A motorcyclist riding alongside Taylor at the time of the accident told police they were going 65 to 75 mph when he saw Taylor’s tire lose traction on the road as he rounded the bend just before the crash.

MPH’s owner, who declined to give his name, refused to comment pending consultation with his lawyer.

The lawsuit, filed by Atty. John A. McNally III, is assigned to Judge John M. Durkin.