Quantcast
Home | Back

Woman injured in I-76 crash

Share Story:     Share_email E-mail Story    |    Share_print Print Story    |    Comments    |   

Colin McEwen
June 6, 2009

 

 

By Colin McEwen

Record-Courier staff writer

EDINBURG — A Pennsylvania woman was taken by LifeFlight helicopter to Akron City Hospital and traffic was closed in both directions for nearly an hour on Interstate 76 Friday afternoon after a two-vehicle crash.

The crash, occurring at about 11:45 a.m., seriously injured Deborah Franco, 45, of Verona, Pa., when the Chevrolet Suburban she was riding in overturned after it was struck by a semi-tractor trailer.

Lt. Michael Marucci of the Ravenna Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol said the crash could have been avoided.

Christopher E . Young, 26, of San Diego, was driving a commercial truck, hauling large metal cylinders, in the right westbound lane when he attempted to change lanes.

However, a Chevrolet Suburban driven by Robert J. Franco, 54, of Verona, Pa. was already traveling in that lane. Franco lost control of his vehicle and swerved off the road. When he tried to regain control of the vehicle on the road, his vehicle was struck by the semi. The Suburban tumbled and overturned in the median, Marucci said.

Marucci said Deborah Franco appeared to be seriously injured, in her “lower extremities.”

As the medical rescue helicopter landed on the eastbound lane, traffic was closed in both directions.

Even after traffic was opened up again at around 12:40 p.m., passing cars still slowed to a crawl for a better look at the crash.

Pieces of a broken foam cooler, along with broken wood and other debris was scattered across the median.

Troopers were on the scene, directing traffic and clearing debris from the roadway.

“We caution drivers to make sure not become complacent with their driving habits,” Marucci said. “This could have been avoided.”

 




Comments
By Posting to this site, you agree to our Terms of Service Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed. Recordpub.com doesn't necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post.

Login above or Register to comment.
 2 Total Comments
2.
    Posted by kbrown June 10, 2009
What this story doesn't tell is that there were 9 dogs traveling in the car as the Francos were going to an agility trial. After the accident, 6 dogs were found immediately and 3 were missing. With the help of the local agility friends, Edinburg community members, and other volunteers, the three border collies were found along both sides of the expressway, hiding in the grass by the fence line by late evening. Many, many thanks to all who came out to help.

At this time, Deb has been transported back to Pittsburg and has a long road to recovery,

1.
    Posted by Integrity June 8, 2009
What a sad story. I do hope that this woman is going to be OK. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

Home | Back