Ohio Highway Patrol investigating crash in Austintown involving marked patrol car

The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Canfield Post is investigating a two-vehicle crash involving a marked patrol car.

The crash occurred on Friday, Dec. 12 at approximately 9:30 p.m. on IR 680, near milepost 2, in Austintown Township.

Authorities said a trooper from the Canfield Post was driving northbound on IR 680 and was approaching the exit ramp to Meridian Road. A 16-year-old driver, of Niles, was driving a 2019 Subaru WRX and entered IR 680 northbound while traveling southbound.

The driver had used the Meridian Road exit ramp as an entrance ramp and was now traveling southbound in the northbound lanes, according to reports.

The Trooper swerved to avoid striking the vehicle. He drove off the right side of the roadway, down an embankment and struck a ditch before coming to rest in the grassy gore.

Authorities said no contact was made with the Subaru and it remained on scene.

The Trooper was transported to St. Elizabeth’s Boardman Campus as precaution.

The juvenile driver was not injured.