Columbiana County commissioner candidate injured by boulders

Staff report

EAST LIVERPOOL

John Payne, a Democrat running for Columbiana County commissioner, was injuried when his pickup truck was hit by two falling boulders on state Route 39, police say.

Payne was traveling west, near the Jennings Randolph Bridge around 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, when large boulders fell off a hill next to the road, police said.

Payne was in stable condition late Wednesday after being taken to East Liverpool City Hospital, police said. Payne was taken by helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh for further treatment and examination, police said.

The accident caused serious damage to the front end and passenger side of Payne’s truck.

Payne is a former East Liverpool mayor, Columbiana County Board of Elections director and spent four years working for former U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson.

Payne is the Democratic nominee for a county commissioner seat being vacated by fellow Democrat Penny Traina. He faces Republican Timothy S. Weigle of East Palestine in the November 2012 general election for the position.