WARREN Boy's family faults driver and police in hit-and-run

No arrests have been made in the case.
By PEGGY SINKOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Family members and neighbors of a 5-year-old boy hit by an SUV say they are distraught that the driver did not stop and police did not notify the press sooner.
"I can't believe someone would drive off and leave my grandchild on the road," said Barbara Thornton. "I wanted this on the news, and I'm very upset the police didn't get this on the news sooner."
MarQuis Gary of 984 Glenwood was struck by a green Ford Explorer about 8 p.m. Sunday while riding his bike across the street from his home, said his mother, Sheanita Smith.
"I think the quicker the word gets out, the better chance police would have of finding the driver," Thornton said, as she sat on Smith's front porch and dialed the telephone numbers of local television stations.
"We got a description of the vehicle, but we did not get a license plate."
As of late Monday police had made no arrests. The accident report was not released to the press because it wasn't completed, officials said. Police Chief John Mandopoulos could not be reached to comment.
Earlier trouble
Safety-service Director Fred Harris said he, too, should have been told sooner. "I will be looking into this matter. We've had traffic trouble on that road before."
Councilman Al Novak, D-2nd, said he has worked for nearly a year to get some help with traffic on Glenwood.
"I've had complaints because semi-trucks and other vehicles will go down those streets because of two companies that are located in that area," Novak said. "I've asked police to intervene."
Neighbors and relatives said police were rude and did not listen when they tried to explain what happened.
"I had to scrub the blood off the street," said Cynthia Tidd of Dana Street. "No one was doing it, and I didn't think the family needed to see that. They have enough right now."
MarQuis, who suffered a head injury, has not spoken but has communicated with his mother by nodding his head in St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown.
"He is mostly sleepy and isn't awake very much," Smith said, as she stopped home to check on her three other children. It is not known how long MarQuis will be hospitalized.
"My daughter just bought this home a few months ago, and they were all so excited. Everyone on the street knew MarQuis. He is always smiling," Thornton said.
sinkovich@vindy.com