TRAFFIC CASES Several crashes uncover five invalid area drivers

An unmarked cruiser was struck in one of the accidents.
YOUNGSTOWN -- Five drivers without a valid license crashed on slick roads and two fled the scene.
The accidents happened when a freezing rain-snow mix challenged drivers' skills in the city Wednesday. Three of those cited were in municipal court Thursday for arraignment and pleaded no contest.
A vehicle driven by Annette Robinson, 34, of Dorothy Avenue struck a car on Jackson Street at 9 a.m. Wednesday and she fled the scene, with the other driver in pursuit, reports show. Robinson's vehicle then crashed into a tree on Byron Street. Patrolman John Prest found her hiding under a truck. She told him she left the accident scene because she has no valid license.
Robinson was issued a citation charging leaving the scene of an accident, no valid license and failure to stop for a red light. She was turned over to Liberty police, who had a warrant for her arrest. That charge wasn't noted.
At 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Charles J. Foltz, 21, of East Avondale Avenue was involved in a two-car crash at Gibson Street and East Avondale when he ran the stop sign, reports show. Patrolman Terry Russo issued a citation charging driving under suspension and disobeying a traffic signal.
Foltz pleaded no contest at arraignment in municipal court. Judge Robert P. Milich imposed a $75 fine and placed Foltz on one year's probation. The judge ordered Foltz to get a valid license.
Hit unmarked cruiser
A vehicle driven by Melanie R. Richardson, 22, of Robinson Avenue, Niles, struck an unmarked cruiser at 3 p.m. Wednesday on Glenwood Avenue when she turned into its path, reports show. She was driving on a temporary permit and alone in the car.
Patrolman Robert Giovanni issued a citation charging operation on a temporary permit without a licensed driver in the car and failure to yield while turning left.
Richardson pleaded no contest at arraignment. Judge Milich fined her $125.
Rhonda Hill, 27, of East Chalmers Avenue crashed on Atkinson Avenue around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. Patrolman Ronnie Jones gave her a citation charging her with having no valid license.
She pleaded no contest at arraignment. Judge Milich gave her 30 days in jail, suspended it all, imposed a $50 fine and placed her on one year's probation. The judge ordered Hill to get a valid license.
Teen involved
At 6:15 p.m. Wednesday, a 16-year-old Pineview Avenue boy slid through a stop sign on Oak Hill Avenue then fled the scene, reports show. He was later found and issued a citation by Patrolman Morris Lee charging hit-skip and failure to control.
The case will be handled in juvenile court.
Another crash early Thursday involved a driver who ran from the scene. A stolen brown Oldsmobile 98 crashed on the Himrod Expressway at 2 a.m. A snowplow driver saw the man flee toward the Williamson Avenue exit.