Crash report claims driver of truck involved in deadly Business Loop 70 crash was using Bluetooth for phone call
Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The driver of a Sunderland Truck involved in a deadly crash on Business Loop 70 in Columbia last month claims he was on the phone at the time of the crash, but used Bluetooth.
The Columbia Police Department said Roger Bone, 56, of Jefferson City was killed in the crash on Oct. 20 at the intersection of Business Loop 70 and Range Line Street. Police said he was riding his bike, when he was hit. He died at the scene.
A police report detailing what led up to crash says the driver– listed as Conner McMillan– told police he was driving west on Business Loop 70, when he began to turn north onto Range Line Street. McMillan allegedly said he “felt something” and looked into his mirror as he turned north.
The report states McMillan told police he saw Bone and his bike laying in the middle of the road, pulled over and ran back to the man. The dump truck pulled over near a motel on Range Line Street, according to previous reporting.
The report lists Sunderland Trucking as the truck involved in the crash.
McMillan allegedly told police he was on the phone with his wife, but said he was using the Bluetooth connected to the truck and claims the phone was in the cupholder at the time.
According to the report, police spoke to at least two witnesses on scene. One witness allegedly told police he saw McMillan turn right from Business Loop 70 onto Range Line Street. The witness claims as the truck was turning, Bone’s bicycle collided with the side of it and Bone ended up underneath the truck.
The witness claimed they did not see McMillan use his turn signal.
A second witness allegedly told police that they did not see Bone before the crash happened, but saw Bone collide with the middle of the truck while the truck was halfway into turning. The witness also told police he saw the rear wheels of the truck run Bone over, the report says.
Boone County Prosecutor Roger Johnson told ABC 17 News via email on Tuesday afternoon that his office had not received any referrals.
Jason Norris said he recently became homeless and walks the area near where the crash happened roughly five to 10 times per day. He said while he didn’t personally know Bone or the specific details of what happened in the crash, he knows from walking the road just how dangerous it can be.
Norris said the road can be scary to walk on, and thinks the intersection should be made a priority and the city could benefit from putting more sidewalks in the area.
“You know how the DMV says the bikers got the right of way and they push that to the limit sometimes, and it can be deadly or very harmful?” Norris said. “You got drivers that come through here just hauling butt, trying to beat something and somebody gets hit it can be very dangerous.”
Bone’s daughter Alexis Hurst previously told ABC 17 News that she is hoping to raise awareness about the need for safety improvements along Business Loop 70 after the deadly crash. Bone told ABC 17 News via text message on Tuesday that she had spoken with a witness after the crash who told her they did not see McMillan use his turn signal during the crash.
Hurst said she was told by police that they could not obtain anything off of the black box in the truck because the impact occurred on the side of the truck and did not detect a crash.
She said her goal remains on bringing justice for her father and pushing for improvements to the road.
“I understand accidents happen but this was avoidable, absolutely avoidable between the lack of safety measures and whatever was going on with the truck driver. My dad’s loss of life was unneccassary. I wouldn’t wish this grief and pain onto anyone. Everyone I have spoken to has said kind things about my dad and I just want justice,” Hurst wrote.
The City of Columbia conducted an audit for safety improvements to Business Loop 70. The final audit is expected to be completed by Spring 2026.
ABC 17 News reached out to Sunderland Trucking.