Township is sued over woman’s injuries

YOUNGSTOWN — An Austintown couple has sued the Austintown Township trustees and an Austintown man for injuries a woman says she suffered when she fell while walking on the sidewalk near 5761 and 5759 Norquest Boulevard in the township.

Susan M. Hess and Greg Hess, of Georgetown Place, filed the suit Monday in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court against the township, in care of the township trustees, and John D. Sandfrey, 110 Atlantic Avenue, Austintown.

Sandfrey is named because his property abuts the sidewalk, the suit said. Sandfrey and the township trustees “have an obligation to the public to keep [the] sidewalk open, in repair, and free from nuisance,” the suit said.

Susan Hess was walking on the sidewalk, which the suit says was defective, when she fell, the suit said. As a result, she suffered a serious injury, resulting in pain, disability and medical treatment and expenses, the suit said.

The couple seeks at least $25,000 from the township and from Sandfrey.

Mike Dockry, Austintown Township administrator, said he had not seen the suit and, therefore, had no comment on it.

Sandfrey has an unpublished phone number and could not be reached to comment.