Three people injured in four-car crash Wednesday on Youngstown Road in Niles

Staff report

NILES

Three people were taken to area hospitals for treatment after a four-car crash on Youngstown Road on Wednesday afternoon.

Witnesses said a darkbrown car traveling at high speed appeared to swerve as it headed west near the west end of the Eastwood Mall, then struck two cars near the intersection. It proceeded a short distance before crashing head-on into a third car, causing massive damage to both cars and injuring both drivers.

Niles police have identified the driver of the dark brown car as Robert Fowler. No charges have been filed against him, but more information will be released today, said Niles Police Capt. John Marshall.

A wheel from Fowler’s car came off before the head-on collision, hitting a car parked in front of the Bombay Curry and Grill, breaking that car’s window.

Police said none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening, but it’s not known whether Fowler had a medical problem that caused the accident.

The crash, which occurred about 12:30 p.m., caused significant traffic delays along Youngstown Road near the mall.

“If my husband hadn’t swerved, it would have hit us head-on,” Sue Briggs of Leavittsburg said. She and her husband, Allen Briggs, a former Warren Township trustee, were in the first vehicle Fowler’s car hit. It was a glancing blow, and the couple were not injured.

“Our light was red, so I know his was, too,” Allen Briggs said of Fowler’s car. “I saw his face. He was looking straight ahead,” he said, estimating the speed at 60 mph.