Man killed, woman injured in separate accidents on Route 5

Staff report

WARREN

A 22-year-old Leavittsburg woman who crashed her Ford Explorer on the state Route 5 bypass near the West Market Street exit lay on the ground more than five hours before a passer-by noticed her overturned car Friday morning.

Sgt. Larry Firmi of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Southington Post said Amanda L. Lichnerowicz’ car flipped over beside the highway at about 1:45 a.m., hitting a sign post, ejecting Lichnerowicz and coming to rest upside down under the bypass.

Because the vehicle came to rest near a retaining wall, it was not visible until daylight, Firmi said.

Lichnerowicz, of McManus Road, was conscious when emergency crews arrived at about 7:15 a.m. and told troopers what time the accident happened, he added.

Lichnerowicz, who was not wearing a seat belt, was taken to Forum Health Trumbull Memorial Hospital and then transferred by helicopter to Cleveland Metro Hospital. The hospital said it had no information on her.

Troopers said alcohol was a factor in the accident, which remains under investigation.

Troopers also investigated an accident at 10:10 p.m. Thursday farther west on Route 5 at state Route 534 in Braceville Township, just north of Newton Falls, that killed a North Canton man.

Leland C. Gaumer, 59, was pronounced dead at Trumbull Memorial.

Gaumer was traveling west on Route 5 in a Geo Metro and failed to stop at a red light, causing a collision with a Honda Accord Crosstour traveling north on Route 534.

The collision caused Gaumer’s car to overturn in a ditch on the north side of the road.

The occupants of the Honda, Pamela J. Hughes, 42, and Tammy Cline, 43, both of Newton Falls, refused treatment for minor injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.