Disputes in family were ongoing, police say

The mother left the scene after running over her son but returned, police said.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
BAZETTA -- Police say they are familiar with the domestic disputes a mother has been having with her son.
The mother, 51-year-old Tereasa Ross, is accused of twice running over her son, Peter Ross, 27, in the driveway of their home at 290 Johnston-Plank Road.
He remains in the intensive care unit of St. Joseph Health Center. Police Chief Charles Sawyer said the injuries are not life threatening, and he is expected to recover.
"It's one thing or another with these folks," Sawyer said Monday after Mrs. Ross was bound over to the Trumbull County grand jury on a charge of felonious assault. Appearing before Judge Thomas Campbell of Trumbull County Central District Court, she waived her right to a preliminary hearing on the felony and was ordered bound over to the grand jury.
She was released from the county jail after posting a 50,000 surety bond.
Sawyer said his department received a call about 8 p.m. Saturday concerning a pedestrian accident in front of the Ross home.
The chief explained the mother and son had been arguing. Mrs. Ross got into her 1998 maroon Buick Century. Apparently, when she drove forward, her son grabbed the car and was pulled under it and run over, the chief said.
What happened next
Sawyer said Mrs. Ross apparently backed up the car to leave and ran over him a second time. She left the scene and then returned.
"We don't know if it was intentional or not," the chief commented, noting Mrs. Ross refused to cooperate with police.
Her attorney for the arraignment, Joseph A. Fritz of Warren, said Mrs. Ross contends that the injuries were accidental and that her son had "gotten out of control."
Sawyer said police have been called to the Ross residence because of domestic disputes between the two. The previous arguments had not resulted in violence, he added.
"We believe there is an issue with prescription drugs [by both of them]," the chief asserted. To what extent, we don't know."
The legal drugs had "impaired clear thinking," he said.
A neighbor, who declined to be identified, said Monday that Mrs. Ross "has some issues" but wouldn't be specific.
There is little vehicle traffic at the Ross house, she said, noting they aren't friendly.
Mrs. Ross and her husband at the time bought the house about two years ago, but it was put up for sale about a year ago, the neighbor said.
Sawyer said Mrs. Ross is divorced and her former husband lives down the road on Johnston-Plank.
yovich@vindy.com