METRO DIGEST || Choking may have caused driver's death

Choking may have caused man’s death

YOUNGSTOWN

A news release from the Mahoning County Coroner’s Office on Thursday said the death of a 43-year-old Campbell man who was found dead in the cab of an overturned truck at Interstate 80/680 about 5 p.m. Wednesday may have been caused by choking.

The release said Charles Baird of Chapel Lane had some clues suggesting he suffered from “mechanical asphyxia,” or something caused him to choke to death. The release said there is no evidence heart trouble may have caused the accident, and an autopsy performed Thursday found no injuries he suffered in the accident that would have been life-threatening.

The release said investigators are awaiting the results of toxicology tests before issuing a ruling.

Kindergarten prep

NILES

The Trumbull County Kindergarten Transition Fair will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday in the Eastwood Mall Center Court. It offers parents an opportunity to learn the skills and information parents and children need for kindergarten success. Children will have the opportunity to board a school bus, meet with Captain McFinn, enjoy kids’ yoga courtesy of Fizek, and participate in free learning activities.

Couple sues HBK

YOUNGSTOWN

A Poland couple has sued a certified public accountant and his employer, alleging accounting malpractice.

Patrick S. and Linda D. Paris of Indian Trail sued William Ogden, CPA; Hill, Barth & King LLC of Canfield and two unknown John Doe defendants in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court, seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

Ogden and HBK failed to file 2011 and 2012 tax returns for the Parises while assuring them they’d been filed and negligently gave erroneous business counseling and tax advice, the complaint says. As a result of Ogden’s conduct, the Parises said they “incurred significant tax liabilities, penalties and interest.” The lawsuit is assigned to Judge Maureen A. Sweeney. HBK officials could not be reached to comment.

Assault on driver

YOUNGSTOWN

Police say a 50-year-old man hit a security guard working for the Western Reserve Transit Authority with his cane after the guard tried to remove him from a bus about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday.

Reports said the guard was trying to remove Jerome Christian of Youngstown from the bus because he was drunk and using obscene language. The guard went to remove Christian, and Christian took a defensive stance. The guard then used his chemical spray on Christian, and Christian hit the guard in the head with his cane, then ran off the bus.

Police caught up with Christian on Commerce Street. He was given citations for assault and possession of drug paraphernalia after officers found a crack pipe when they searched him.

Guilty plea in death

WARREN

Mark Thornsberry, 26, of Wilson Avenue in Niles, pleaded guilty Thursday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court to injecting the dose of heroin into a Mineral Ridge man that killed him May 31. He could get up to 22 years in prison when he is sentenced by Judge Ronald Rice in about four weeks.

He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, tampering with evidence and corrupting another with drugs in the death of Joshua J. Robbins.

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