Three people were hospitalized Sunday following two separate crashes in Columbiana County — one involving a motorcycle and another involving an emergency vehicle responding to that scene.
The initial crash occurred around 1 p.m. along State Route 518 in Wayne Township, where a motorcycle went off the road and slammed into an embankment. The Ohio State Highway Patrol said the motorcycle, operated by 64-year-old Gregory Stuntzman of Carrollton, failed to navigate a curve before veering off the pavement. Both Stuntzman and his passenger, who authorities did not identify, were ejected from the bike.
Neither rider was wearing a helmet, troopers said. A medical helicopter flew Stuntzman to Mercy Health’s main campus in Youngstown with serious injuries. His passenger was also transported to the same hospital by ambulance. Investigators said there was no indication that alcohol contributed to the crash.
While emergency crews were en route to that scene, a second crash occurred at the intersection of State Routes 518 and 164. A rescue squad from the West Point Fire Department, responding to the motorcycle crash, was involved in a collision with another vehicle.
According to officials, the fire department’s vehicle struck a northbound Ford Fusion while attempting to turn at the intersection. The driver of the car, 49-year-old Joanne Martin of Salineville, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was taken to East Liverpool City Hospital. No injuries were reported among the emergency personnel.
Both incidents remain under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
