Man in serious condition after Champion crash

CHAMPION

A Champion Township man is in serious condition at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital after crossing the center lane and hitting another car head-on at 9:55 p.m. Thursday on Mahoning Avenue.

James R. Meyer Jr., 43, of Durst Drive was southbound on Mahoning with no headlights on when he crossed into the northbound lanes, striking a car driven by Chris H. Rilling Jr., 38, of Towson Drive in Champion, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Meyer’s seat belt was not in use in his 2010 Honda Accord, and he was partially ejected from his car. He was initially taken to ValleyCare Trumbull Memorial Hospital but later transferred to St. Elizabeth.

Alcohol is believed to be a factor in the crash, which remains under investigation, the patrol said.

Rilling, who was wearing a seat belt in his 2012 Jeep Wrangler, received minor injuries.