Two drivers charged in road-rage incident in Warren

Staff report

WARREN

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has charged both drivers in the May 8 road-rage incident on the state Route 82/5 Bypass that involved a group of people taking a child to the hospital.

The driver of a pickup truck carrying the child, William J. Elmore Jr., 26, of Vermont Avenue Northwest, has been charged with reckless operation and child endangerment.

The driver of a Saturn sport utility vehicle, Anthony Minotti, 21, of Calla Avenue, Champion, has been charged with reckless operation. The charges will be processed through Central District Court in Cortland.

Troopers said Elmore and two others were taking a child for medical care for a head injury suffered at home when he entered the highway and got into conflict with Minotti.

The two drivers passed each other several times as they traveled eastbound near the Larchmont Avenue exit, troopers said. Eventually, Minotti hit the brakes in front of the truck, the patrol said.

The truck made contact with the rear corner of the SUV, causing the vehicle to spin out of control and enter the median. The SUV hit the dividing cable barrier and overturned in the road, ending up on its side.

The SUV had serious damage. The truck had disabling damage.

None of the four people in the truck or three people in the SUV suffered serious injuries in the crash, the patrol said.

The boy was transported to the hospital for treatment of his original head injury.