HOWLAND Man hurt in police car crash dies

The part-time officer has been off duty since the crash.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HOWLAND -- A 47-year-old Niles man who was a passenger in a car that was hit by a township cruiser has died.
Police Chief Steve Lamantia said the Trumbull County medical examiner informed him this morning that Delbert Lambert died around 4:20 a.m. today.
The chief said an autopsy was to be performed today.
Lamantia said part-time patrol Officer Timothy J. Albu, 23, of Niles, has been off duty since his cruiser collided with the vehicle Lambert was riding in Saturday evening.
Albu was on his way to assist another officer, the chief said, but the call was not an emergency.
The chief said he does not know when Albu will be called back to work. Lamantia was to inform Albu this morning of the man's death.
Investigation: The Ohio State Highway Patrol, which is investigating, said the report on the crash will not be released until it is complete.
Lamantia said he does not know how fast Albu was driving or if the lights and siren were activated.
The patrol, however, did acknowledge that Albu was headed south on Ridge Road around 8:09 p.m. Saturday when his cruiser went left of center and struck a vehicle driven by Chad W. Mitchell, 23, of Niles.
Mitchell and a passenger, Cammie R. Kosak, 19, of Niles, were treated at St. Joseph Health Center.
Lambert was taken to Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital, then to Akron City Hospital.
Albu was not hurt.