Cruiser crushed by train in Newton

By BILL RODGERS Tribune Chronicle
NEWTON TOWNSHIP — Michael Boyd saw the cruiser parked on the train tracks near Miller Graber Road but forgot about it until he heard the train whistle.

‘‘I’m thinking to myself, ‘Train whistle, cop car, train whistle, cop car.’ And then I heard it,’’ he said, banging his palm on his porch deck to mimic the sound of the train crashing into the Newton Township police cruiser Monday night.

Boyd dressed quickly while his wife, who was painting the living room, panicked. She said she saw someone near the cruiser before the crash. Boyd ran to the cruiser, and was joined by another officer. He half-expected to find someone inside.

The cop car was unoccupied. Patrolman Tom Colosimo had jumped out of the cruiser to chase a suspect in a string of copper thefts.

On Tuesday, Newton Falls Police were reviewing dispatch tapes to learn whether the train for CSX railroad had enough warning to stop. Colosimo radioed Newton Falls dispatch to call CSX and have all traffic along the railroad stopped because he was involved in a foot chase along the tracks.

According to reports from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the a dispatcher in Newton Falls was on the phone with the CSX company 15 minutes later when the train hit the cruiser, which was partially parked on the tracks with its overhead lights on.

The cruiser now sits in Layfield Towing lot in Newton Falls, crushed in the middle, with wires dangling from the windows.

According to a news release from the township, Colosimo stopped his car on the tracks to chase three people who were walking along the rails at about 10:45 p.m.

Large amounts of copper wiring were stolen from along the train tracks recently, which prompted Colosimo to chase after the three people he saw along the tracks. He called for backup and was joined by officers from Newton Falls, Braceville Township, Trumbull County sheriff’s deputies, Lordstown Village Police and a police dog from Newton Falls, according to the township.

The train hit the cruiser at 11 p.m., according to the Highway Patrol. CSX track inspector and city Mayor Pat Layshock said the crash was a low impact considering that trains usually travel about 50 mph through there.

A train can brake for up to two miles before stopping. The train knocked the cruiser off the tracks and continued on for about 14 car lengths, Layshock said.

‘‘It was a mistake in judgment where he decided to stop the cruiser,’’ Layshock said. ‘‘But he should be commended for his effort in trying to stop the vandalism (along the tracks).’’

Boyd, who lives next to the tracks, said the train seemed to be going slower than usual.

There is space the cruiser could have pulled off to the side, he said.

‘‘There’s no way in h—- a guy should ever, ever park on the tracks,’’ Boyd said.

No arrests were made Monday, according to police.

Township police spokesman Jim Luonuansuu said officers recovered a piece of ‘‘evidence,’’ which would be sent to state investigators for prints. But Luonuansuu would not specify what the evidence was.

Township Trustee Peter Augusta said the totaled cruiser was a used Crown Victoria cruiser the small police department bought from the Highway Patrol. Augusta said another cruiser could cost about $5,000 to $7,000.

‘‘I’m just glad no one got hurt. We can buy another cruiser,’’ Augusta said.

The Tribune Chronicle requested copies of the dispatch recordings. Incident reports from the Highway Patrol and the Newton Township Police are pending.

brodgers@tribune-chronicle.com