Head trauma in crash killed Southington teen, coroner says

STAFF REPORT

WARREN — Christie Manchester, the 17-year-old Southington girl killed in a single-car accident Monday night in Champion, 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 if 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 patrol’s Southington post 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.

Barco has since been released from Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Another passenger in the car, Ellen Becker, 18, of Struthers, remains in critical condition at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

The teens were headed to Southington at 11:37 p.m. after leaving a Taco Bell restaurant.

Manchester’s calling hours will be today from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Carl W. Hall Funeral Home, where a funeral will be at 1 p.m. Saturday.