Mahoning County worker injured while cutting grass

Staff report

AUSTINTOWN

A Mahoning County worker on a tractor mowing grass in the right-of-way on Mahoning Avenue was struck by a car Wednesday.

Officials from the Canfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said the worker’s injuries were not life-threatening Wednesday afternoon after being transported from the crash site to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

According to The Vindicator’s broadcast partner, 21 WFMJ-TV, Ernest Earl Jr. was cited for failure to maintain assured clear distance after his vehicle lost control just east of the Meander Reservoir on Mahoning about 8:30 a.m.

From there, Earl ran into the tractor being driven by county employee Abraham Hammond.

Mahoning County Engineer Patrick T. Ginnetti said it is the county’s responsibility to mow the right-of-way on Mahoning.

“All I know is a vehicle was trying to pass another vehicle and was trying to pass on the right and made contact with my mower,” Ginnetti said.