Witness: Cruiser went 70

Lack of lights and siren 'does create a problem,' the commander said.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
CORTLAND -- A witness to the accident in which a 16-year-old pedestrian was struck and killed by a city police car has told the Ohio State Highway Patrol that the vehicle was traveling 70 mph.
Lt. Joseph Dragovich, commander of the patrol's barracks in Southington, said Thursday the witness estimated the speed of the police car in a statement given to patrol investigators.
Cassandra Thompson was crossing South High Street Tuesday night when she was struck by a northbound police car driven by patrol officer Jason Smith, a 13-year veteran of the city police force.
The speed limit on South High is 35 mph.
Smith, who is on administrative leave, did not activate the vehicle's lights and siren when responding to a report of a fight. The fight was on Stahl Avenue, some distance from where the accident occurred.
Smith will remain on paid leave until next Tuesday. He can request additional time off if needed, police Chief Gary Mink said.
Mink said the city department's policy for responding to calls is the same as the state's, which is that emergency vehicles must be driven with due regard for safety.
The accident
Dragovich said Cassandra had been at the Circle K convenience store on South High and was returning to the house of friends -- nearly across the street -- when struck.
She was in the northbound lane, about 6 feet from the curb, when hit. She rolled onto the passenger's side of the hood and hit the windshield about 11:30 p.m., Dragovich explained.
Dragovich said one of the difficulties with a witness's estimate of speed is that it may not be accurate because the witness lacks the training for estimating speeds.
The commander said it's too early in the investigation to determine what charges, if any, will be filed against Smith. He noted, however, that the lack of lights and a siren "does create a problem" for Smith.
"We know he didn't intend it to happen this way," Dragovich added.
He said the accident investigation will take seven to 10 days to complete. The evidence will be presented to the assistant county prosecutor at Trumbull County's Central District Court, or directly to the county prosecutor for a possible direct presentment to a grand jury.
The prosecutor also will determine if the results of more tests are needed before proceeding.
Cassandra had been living with her grandmother, Bernice Thompson, along Youngstown-Kingsville Road in Johnston Township. She also stayed at her father's house in Bushnell-Campbell Road in Kinsman.
Her grandmother said Cassandra had trouble dealing with the loss of her mother in a 2003 traffic accident in Bazetta Township. She had dropped out of school.
yovich@vindy.com