Suspect escapes from hospital

Staff report

campbell

A man who fled police during an attempted traffic stop and caused a four-car accident Wednesday escaped from St. Elizabeth Health Center on Wednesday night, police said.

Edwin Thomas, 27, of Lans-downe Boulevard in Youngstown walked out of the hospital at 7:15 p.m., Campbell police reported Thursday. Police had asked for a hold on him.

St. Elizabeth’s would not comment on how the escape occurred, citing health-privacy regulations.

Police tried to stop Thomas around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday for having a cracked windshield and no front license plate, a report says.

An officer followed him from 12th Street to Devitt Avenue, where he pulled into a driveway. When the police car pulled in behind him, he abruptly turned into the yard, drove down Devitt and ran the stop sign at the intersection, the report says.

A car hit him, then he hit two other vehicles stopped on Devitt, the report said.

Both Thomas’ car doors were smashed in, and he was trapped in his car, the report said.

The Campbell Fire Department and Coitsville Police came to assist at the accident, which also injured one other person.

Gary Mrakovich, 54, of Canfield was also taken to St. Elizabeth’s.

Police said Thomas had minor cuts, but because of the severity of the accident, he was taken to St. Elizabeth’s as a precaution.

Police said a warrant will be issued for his arrest. Charges will include fleeing and eluding, obstructing official business, criminal damaging and several traffic-related offenses, police said.