SALEM Officer's crash being probed

A previous on-duty accident resulted in a fine and departmental discipline.
By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
SALEM -- The police department is investigating a patrolman's traffic accident while on duty, his second such episode since 1998.
Charles Shafer, 39, was charged with failure to yield by city police after a two-vehicle crash about 7:30 a.m. Monday.
Police said Shafer was driving a cruiser on the 1100 block of East State Street when he began turning into a parking lot.
Shafer's vehicle collided with a car driven in the opposite direction by William Wagner, 17, of 238 Ohio Ave.
Neither Wagner nor his two passengers were injured. Shafer took himself to Salem Community Hospital, where he was treated for a concussion, Weitz said.
The cruiser was damaged enough to disable it. A damage estimate has yet to be compiled.
A hearing is set for 8:15 a.m. May 22 in Columbiana County Municipal Court for the traffic ticket issued to Shafer.
He remains on regular duty status pending the departmental probe, which could result in disciplinary action separate from any punishment the court might impose.
The department could levy a range of actions ranging from a verbal warning to a suspension, Weitz said.
What happened
In February 1998, Shafer was cited by police for failure to control after his cruiser struck a parked car.
Shafer was found guilty in court. Fines and costs totaling $83 were imposed, Weitz said.
The department issued Shafer a written warning and suspended him for a day, Weitz said.
Shafer has been with the department since 1990, when he started as a part-time officer. He became a full-time officer in 1991.