Salem man dies after being dragged by taxi

SALEM (AP) — A city man who was run over, dragged and partially pinned under the wheel of a taxi cab Tuesday night died later from his injuries.

City police identified the victim as Andy Blackburn, 58, of 1431 Franklin Ave., who had been flown by helicopter to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Youngstown.

The accident remains under investigation by Salem police, with the Mahoning County coroner's office also involved since the death occurred in Youngstown.

Police were called to the scene at 7:20 p.m. Tuesday, with Sgt. Brent Slider explaining the victim somehow ended up under the ASAP cab company mini van and the driver did not realize he was there and started to back out of the driveway in the area near the plaza on Franklin. The man became wedged under the vehicle and was dragged onto the street, then partially pinned under the passenger side rear tire.

According to Slider, when police arrived, the man was unresponsive trapped beneath the vehicle. Additional officers arrived along with some civilians and all assisted in shifting the weight of the vehicle off of the victim while the vehicle was cautiously backed up allowing him to be freed from the undercarriage by Salem firefighters. He was taken by ambulance to the helipad at Salem Regional Medical Center for air transport to St. Elizabeth Hospital.

Based on information from the cab driver, the witness who saw the cab leaving the driveway and evidence found at the scene, Slider noted that it appeared the victim had fallen or stumbled while walking around the back of the cab and the cab driver did not see him.

According to Chief J.T. Panezott, ASAP cab service is properly registered with the city. Arrangements for Blackburn are pending at the Stark Memorial Funeral Home.