Suit: Injured Segway Rider Told to 'Slalom' Between Trees

Chicago - About a week after the Chicago Park District sent an e-mail to Segway tour operators warning them to stay off the grass and gardens, a man claiming he was injured when a Segway tour guide told him to “slalom” between trees filed a lawsuit against the tour company.

William Sullivan claims he was injured on March 31 he was thrown from a rented Segway during a lakefront tour from Steve’s Segway Tours LLC, according to a suit filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court.

The suit claims a Steve’s Segway Tours guide took participants off the paved surface and instructed them to “slalom” between trees. Sullivan did not think he could participate and attempted to ride the Segway back onto the paved surface, where he hit a depression and was “thrown” from the vehicle, according to the suit.

Last week, the Chicago Park District sent an e-mail to Segway tour companies ordering them to stay on the paths and off the grass and gardens.

The personal injury suit is seeking more than $50,000 plus the cost of the suit.