Cruiser-car collision kills one man

Two motorists told police the officer's lights and siren were on.
By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- A "meticulous process" will be used to determine who was at fault when a city cruiser hit a vintage Oldsmobile on the South Side, killing the Oldsmobile's driver, police said.
The passenger side of Franklin Berry's 1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88 was struck broadside at the intersection of Williamson Avenue and Erie Street at 12:13 a.m. Thursday. Reports show the impact propelled the Oldsmobile into a wall in front of 109 Williamson.
Berry, 52, of Bennington Avenue, was dead at the scene. An autopsy will determine the extent of his injuries and cause of death. Toxicology tests will also be done, police said.
Berry's car wasn't equipped with an airbag, reports show.
Policeman injured
Detective Sgt. William Ross, 43, who was driving the cruiser, received treatment for minor injuries at St. Elizabeth Health Center and is convalescing at home, police said Thursday. Ross, a 14-year veteran, was wearing his shoulder and lap belt and the cruiser's airbag deployed.
The cruiser, a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, sustained heavy front-end damage.
Lts. Rod Foley and Mark Milstead fielded reporters' questions Thursday about the collision. They said the Ohio State Highway Patrol forensic unit will examine the physical evidence for crash analysis and determine a speed range for both Berry and Ross' vehicles.
Foley said a meticulous process will be used to determine who was at fault. What happened before the crash is still fuzzy, he said.
No skid marks
Milstead, head of the Accident Investigation Unit, said there were no skid marks to show that brakes were applied by Ross or Berry before impact.
Berry had been southbound on Erie and Ross was eastbound on Williamson. The four-way intersection is controlled by a traffic light.
Foley said the investigation will determine if Ross went through the red light. Foley said it is police policy for cruisers using lights and siren to slow down at intersections.
Foley said the investigation will include a review of 911 audio tapes to determine where Ross was going. Foley wouldn't say what Ross said about his destination.
"We're still trying to confirm if his lights and sirens were on," Foley said. "We have initial statements from witnesses that they were on."
Milstead said two motorists witnessed the crash.
meade@vindy.com