Wrongful-death suit goes to federal court

YOUNGSTOWN -- A Youngstown-area family's wrongful-death lawsuit against officials and police in Youngstown and Boardman Township has been moved out of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court and into U.S. District Court.
Phillip E. Swantner was hit head-on and killed in February 2001 at Youngstown-Poland Road and Midlothian Boulevard by a car driven by 30-year-old Steven Mango, who was fleeing Boardman police because he was a suspect in a robbery. Swantner was not involved in the chase.
During the chase, Mango drove through a red light and was making a right turn onto Youngstown-Poland Road when his car collided with three other cars, including one being driven by Swantner, who was killed.
At the request of lawyers representing Boardman Township, and with the approval of the court, the case was transferred to federal court, where it remains pending. Swanter's family is asking for more than $10 million in damages.