Burned officer has hand surgery

AKRON — The police officer who was badly burned when his cruiser caught fire after being rammed from behind underwent surgery Wednesday.

Austintown patrol officer Ross Linert, 48, is in the burn unit at Akron Children’s Hospital, where he’s remained unconscious since the Sunday accident.

Austintown Police Chief Bob Gavalier said Wednesday evening that surgery for skin grafts on Linert’s right hand went well.

A second surgery for his left hand is planned for Friday, Gavalier said.

Linert was burned over 40 percent of his body after Adrien Foutz, 22, of Girard, hit him from behind on North Meridian Road early Sunday.

Foutz is charged with aggravated vehicular assault. The Youngstown prosecutor said a breath test showed she was driving with more than three times the legal limit of alcohol in her blood. She is free on $25,000 bond with a preliminary hearing set for Nov. 23 in Youngstown Municipal Court.

A trust fund for Linert’s family has been set up at Home Savings. Those wishing to donate can do so at any bank branch. In Austintown, there are branches at 6030 Mahoning Ave. and 4259 Kirk Road.