Trumbull coroner rules on two deaths

WARREN — Christie Manchester, the 17-year-old Southington girl who died in a single-car accident in Champion Monday night, died of head trauma, the Trumbull County coroner has ruled.

Manchester, who was pronounced dead at the scene, also suffered other injuries. But “It was the head trauma that killed her,” said Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk.

Toxicology tests will be performed to determine whether Manchester suffered some type of medical problem that caused her to crash, Dr. Germaniuk said.

Meanwhile, investigators from the Ohio State Highway Patrol say they have uncovered nothing that explains what caused the accident.

Sgt. Randy Skaggs of the Southington post of the patrol, said he asked front-seat passenger Kaylynn Barco, 17, whether Manchester was texting or talking on a cell phone, and the answer was no.

“All they were doing is singing,” Sgt. Skaggs said.

“At this point, we don’t have a positive reason for them going off the road,” he said, adding that the only likely explanation is inattention and inexperience as a driver.

Meanwhile, Dr. Germaniuk has ruled that a 50-year-old Warren man found dead on his bed Sunday with a head wound died of a stroke.

David P. Allen, of Tod Avenue Northwest, apparently hit his head as a result of the stroke, which caused the head wound, Dr. Germaniuk said.

Police had investigated the death as a homicide pending an autopsy.