A New Jersey motorcyclist has been awarded $2.65 million for extensive injuries he suffered when he hit potholes while riding on a poorly-maintained Passaic County road, lost control and crashed into a minivan, according to his attorney.

Roger Gates, now 67, of Sussex County, spent six weeks in the hospital, underwent multiple surgeries and had 10 weeks of inpatient rehabilitation after the April 14, 2016 crash on Oak Ridge Road in West Milford. Gates was once a physically-fit athlete, but now walks with a cane, his attorney Jeffrey Patti of Sparta, told NJ Advance Media on Wednesday.

In addition to the award, the six-member jury on Jan. 31 agreed Gates should be reimbursed $756,000 for medical expenses, according to NorthJersey.com, which first reported the verdict on Feb. 6.

Gates came across a rough patch of pavement near the shoulder on Oak Ridge Road and was forced to ride closer to the middle of the lane, where he struck two large potholes as the road curved to the right, according to the lawsuit. His motorcycle veered into an oncoming lane and collided with a minivan, the suit states.

Patti said Gates fractured his pelvis in multiple places, permanently damaged the nerves in his lower body and suffered breaks to his right shoulder and left wrist. He was flown from the crash to Hackensack University Medical Center, Patti said.

The lawsuit contended the county knew the broken pavement was a recurring problem and, instead of fixing the road, filled the potholes with asphalt.

“We called it a bubble gum and rubber band fix,” Patti said. “For at least two years, this was a problem area known to the Passaic County road crews.”

Patti said the potholes were eliminated when the road was repaved in 2018, about two years after Gates was injured.

Ronald Hunt, the lawyer for Passaic County, unsuccessfully sought to admit evidence about the county’s overall road paving program, Patti said.

Hunt also claimed Gates was speeding before the crash but that “the jury did not believe” the allegation, Patti said.

Hunt did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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