2 killed in Route 5 crash today

Staff report

RAVENNA

Two people were killed in an accident at about 2:30 p.m. today on state Route 5 in Paris Township in Portage County near the Trumbull County border.

A minivan traveling eastbound on state Route 5 went left of center and struck a vehicle a traveling west.

Sonya Diaz, 39, of Newton Falls, who was driving the westbound vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the minivan also was killed.

Because the minivan caught fire after the collision, OSHP Warren District Commander Joshua Swindell said the patrol is working with the Portage County coroner to identify the victim.

There were no passengers in either of the vehicles.

The crash is under investigation.

Swindell said people should keep an eye out for distracted drivers, and if anyone sees them to call 677 to report it.

There have been 42 fatal vehicle crashes in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties so far in 2015, according to the OSHP. Statewide, more than 1,035 have died in vehicle accidents so far this year.