Jury unanimously rules against cyclist

The injured motorcyclist unsuccessfully sought $1.2 million in damages.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — A jury has returned a unanimous verdict in favor of the driver of a car sued by a motorcyclist who suffered serious injuries in a collision in Sebring more than four years ago.

Friday’s verdict followed 90 minutes of deliberation at the end of a three-day trial presided over by Magistrate Daniel P. Dascenzo of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

The collision occurred at dusk Sept. 23, 2004, at U.S. Route 62 and Johnson Road.

Motorcyclist Jack O. Clouds of Beaver Falls, Pa., who unsuccessfully sought $1.2 million in damages, was westbound on U.S. Route 62, and Violet M. Haller, of West Michigan Avenue, Sebring, was driving a car eastbound on Route 62.

The motorcycle Clouds was operating hit the car, while Haller, 85, was attempting to make a left turn onto Johnson Road, and Clouds was thrown about 25 feet from the motorcycle, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Clouds, 60, was knocked unconscious and suffered a broken jaw, pelvis and wrists.

The car had its left turn signal on, and the car and the motorcycle had their headlights on, the patrol said.

In a statement to an OSHP trooper and in court testimony, Adam Stryffeler, of Winona Road, Salem, an independent witness to the crash, said he believed Clouds entered the intersection when the light was red. Stryffler said Clouds was wearing a helmet.

Clouds testified he was going 20 to 25 mph as he entered the intersection with a green traffic light, and that the collision occurred when the car entered his lane.

Haller testified she stopped her car at the traffic light when it was yellow and was waiting for oncoming traffic to clear so she could make the left turn. After the light turned red, the vehicles collided, Haller said.