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This April 2013 X-ray shows Stephen Stiffler's collarbone, which was broken in a few places in a bicycle crash involving a Portland police officer.

(Trial exhibit)

Trial began Monday in a $155,000 lawsuit filed by a bicyclist who claims a Portland police sergeant grabbed his arm as he pedaled into a car-free zone in Old Town, causing the cyclist to fall and break his collarbone.

Stephen Stiffler, 33, of Southwest Portland says he was on his way to get some pizza at 2 a.m. April 27, 2013, when he pedaled past barricades with signs that stated "Street Closed." Police had set up the signs and barricades to block off six blocks of Old Town's Entertainment District to allow large crowds of bar patrons to walk the streets safely on Friday and Saturday nights.

Police, however, say the barricades are meant to prevent bicycles as well as cars from entering the area.

Stephen Stiffler testified Monday in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

The trial is in the Multnomah County Circuit courtroom of Judge Jerry Hodson. It is expected to conclude Wednesday.

Stiffler claims he thought the "Street Closed" signs were only meant to keep cars out and that there was plenty of space for bicycles to pass through. Both sides agree that at Northwest Third Avenue and Couch Street -- about a block after Stiffler entered the zone -- Sgt. Charles Harris stuck out his arm as Stiffler was riding toward him.

Stiffler claims that the sergeant grabbed him, causing him to crash.

"You stick your arm out, someone's going 15 to 20 mph, that's battery," said attorney Greg Kafoury, who is representing Stiffler with attorney Jason Kafoury.

The city, however, contends that Harris was not trying to grab Stiffler, but that Harris stuck his arm out as he said, “Hey, stop!” and Stiffler rode into him, according to the city.

Portland police Sgt. Charles Harris

“This accident happened very fast,” said Deputy City Attorney Jim Rice. “And if there is any fault, it lies with someone riding 15 to 20 mph with bars emptying out (in the area).”

Stiffler’s battery claim is based on the argument that the sergeant intentionally grabbed him. Stiffer also is contending in a negligence claim that the sergeant negligently caused the crash by sticking his arm out.

More than a year after the crash, a doctor told Stiffler that his right collarbone, which had broken in a few places, had not healed and that he will need two surgeries to help the bones re-grow together and put an end to his pain.

Stiffler says he's been told the surgeries will cost $17,000. He estimates he will lose about $13,000 in income while he's off work for two months. He also seeks money for pain and suffering.

Stiffler works for Columbia Distributing as a retail-line salesman, which involves moving and lifting cases of wine weighing 30 to 60 pounds at large grocery stores.

Up until the time of the crash, Stiffler biked about 60 miles per a week, his attorneys say. Since the crash, he has had trouble sleeping on the right side of his body and lifting heavy items or any items over his head.

Harris, who was 45 at the time of the incident, has been a police officer for more than a decade. Before that he was a school teacher.

-- Aimee Green