Youngstown man crashes car in Boardman intersection attempting kidnapping and eluding police
By Bruce Walton
Boardman
Two township residents are recovering in St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital from a crash Sunday night that resulted from a police chase.
The crash occurred at the intersection of Indianola Road and Market Street, where the driver, David Kopnitsky, 37, who listed an address in the 6000 block of Market Street, traveling northbound, struck a westbound vehicle and veered off the road, hitting a utility pole.
A police report said Kopnitsky was ejected from the vehicle, which tore into two pieces, from the collision.
Officers discovered a 19-year-old male passenger in the other half of the vehicle. According to police, the 19-year-old, who lives at a Market Street apartment, said Kopnitsky had kidnapped him. Township firefighters extracted him from the wreckage. He had a fractured leg and what appeared to be back and head injuries. There was no word on their conditions late Monday.
The second vehicle’s driver and passenger suffered minor injuries and refused treatment, police said.
Police approached Kopnitsky’s apartment at 8:24 p.m. Sunday after receiving multiple calls in reference to a fight.
Police had been sent to investigate a domestic-violence incident at the address earlier Sunday. An officer approaching the property saw a vehicle leaving, which the officer followed.
The officer attempted to stop the vehicle after it drove through a stop sign on Marlindale Avenue. Police said Kopnitsky reportedly ignored the sirens and continued to elude the officer. The officer engaged in a high-speed pursuit from Market near Wildwood Drive until the crash at the intersection.
Police charged Kopnitsky with kidnapping, fleeing and eluding, domestic violence and aggravated trespassing. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.