TV host vows to push seat-belt use

The 'Community Connections' host says she's embarrassed.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- Madonna Chism Pinkard, host of a Sunday morning community television program, may be back on the air in August after being seriously injured in an auto accident in May.
When she does return to her "Community Connections" on WFMJ TV-21, she'll emphasize the use of seat belts "big time," she insists.
Pinkard, 41, broke her back and neck -- and her 83-year-old father, Tolbert Chism of Youngstown, was killed -- when the SUV they were in rolled on Memorial Day along state Route 5 in Newton Township.
She and her father were not wearing seat belts.
Pinkard's husband, Russell, 38, who was driving; their son, Josiah Pinkard, 4; and their cousin, Faleasha Oliver, 6, of Warren; were not seriously injured. They were wearing seat belts.
Pinkard said Tuesday from her Cortland home that she is embarrassed and feels like a hypocrite because she has been an advocate of seat belts on her program. Also, she's a member of the Mahoning Valley Safe Kids Coalition and African-America Commission on Seat Belt Safety.
"There are so many things I regret," Pinkard said.
Details of accident
The TV host explained that she was in the back seat of the SUV. She had unlatched her seat belt so she could bend over the front seat to turn on the air conditioner and find the remote to a video player in the vehicle.
It was chaotic inside the SUV, she recalled, with the kids laughing and joking around and her moving about. Her husband then took his eye off the road to turn on the air conditioning.
The vehicle started to fishtail, her husband over-corrected and the vehicle rolled over. The next thing she knew, she was on the ground.
Her father wasn't wearing his seat belt because he just didn't like using them, she said. He died at the scene, but she wasn't told until later.
"I loved my dad so much. I didn't expect to lose him so suddenly and so tragically," Pinkard said.
No charges were filed as a result of the accident after the Ohio State Highway Patrol conferred with the prosecutor's office.
Pinkard said she feels responsible for the accident because she was moving around.
After 31/2 weeks recovering at St. Elizabeth Health Center, she returned home under the care of a home health aide, occupational therapist and physical therapist.
Because of her neck and back injuries, she wears a brace from her neck to groin. A closed head injury has left her head somewhat numb.
She will be examined Tuesday by her neurologist, who will tell her if she can return to work, taking the brace off while recording the show.
Pinkard said she is anxious to get back to work so she can become a seat-belt advocate.
"I'm getting stir crazy" staying at home, she added.
With her cognitive skills normal, Pinkard said she is prepared to make a "good comeback."
In the meantime, she has been attempting to answer more than 1,000 get-well cards and 600 e-mails.
yovich@vindy.com