Red Bud man fatally injured in Rockwood wreck
<span>Almost nine months to the day after losing a daughter, the Porter family of Red Bud lost another member on Saturday.</span>
<span>Scott W. Porter, 53, was fatally injured in an accident north of Rockwood that involved two motorcycles.</span>
<span>Porter was the father of Hannah Porter, who was fatally injured in a two-vehicle accident in January that also claimed the life of Ruma resident Abby Liefer.</span>
<span>According to Illinois State Police Trooper Christopher "Joey" Watson, 27-year-old Ricky D. Niemeyer, of Red Bud, was traveling northbound on Route 3 at Coffee Street when he stopped his 2011 black Harley Davidson and attempted an illegal U-turn.</span>
<span>Porter, driving a 1996 gray Harley Davidson, reportedly came around a curve in the roadway and struck the other motorcycle.</span>
<span>Porter, Niemeyer and a passenger on Niemeyer's motorcycle, 34-year-old Michelle L. Kent of Red Bud, were all ejected from their respective vehicles, which came to rest in the southbound lane after the collision.</span>
<span>Watson said Niemeyer and Kent were transported to Chester Memorial Hospital in stable condition. Porter was airlifted to St. Louis University Hospital with critical injuries. </span>
<span>A source with knowledge of the incident told the Herald Tribune that Porter had little brain activity as a result of the accident and later died at the hospital.</span>
<span>Chester firefighters were paged out to the accident at 4:46 p.m.</span>
<span>"We were called because there was the possibility of multiple injuries," said Chester Fire Chief Marty Bert. "We helped land the helicopter and stabilized (Porter) until they flew him out."</span>
<span>Niemeyer was cited for the illegal U-turn and no "M" class certification. The accident is still under investigation by the ISP.</span>
<span>On Aug. 20, Dawn Porter - Hannah's mother - filed a wrongful death suit against Crystal Steinheimer, the driver who allegedly caused the January crash.</span>
<span>Also named in the suit are three Evansville-area bars that allegedly served her on the night of that accident.</span>
<span>Steinheimer's blood alcohol level was 0.179, more than twice the legal limit, and she has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated driving under the influence in connection to the accident.</span>
<span>Steinheimer faces up to 28 years in prison on both felony counts and is awaiting trial in Monroe County court.</span>
Funeral services for Scott Porter will be held Friday, Oct. 9, at 10 a.m. at Koch-Liefer Funeral Home in Red Bud.
Visitation will be Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Burial will be at St. Peter United Church of Christ Cemetery in Red Bud.