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SALEM -- A Washingtonville man accused of causing a multi-vehicle daytime traffic crash with injuries in downtown Salem Monday was charged with reckless operation and scheduled to appear in Columbiana County Municipal Court for arraignment on Nov. 23.
A media release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol identified Alex Sean Fluharty, 36, West Main Street, as the driver of a westbound 2005 Buick Lacrosse on East State Street at the intersection with North Broadway Avenue at approximately 11 a.m. which struck a 2018 Dodge Ram driven by Petra Balputnis, 36, of Hanoverton, as the truck came to a stop at a red light at East State Street and North Broadway Avenue.
Fluharty's red car then continued through the intersection, striking an eastbound 2012 GMC Terrain driven by a 17-year-old juvenile from Salem head-on. Fluharty's car then continued westbound and struck a 2016 Dodge Ram driven by Daniel Langties, 26, of Salem.
The collision caused the Langties vehicle to travel off of the south side of the road and strike a utility pole.
Fluharty's vehicle then came to final rest after striking an unoccupied parked Honda Accord on East State Street.
Fluharty was transported to St. Elizabeth/Mercy Health in Youngstown with minor injuries. Langties and the juvenile were transported to Salem Regional Medical Center, also with minor injuries. Baltputnis wasn't injured.
According to the media release, drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a contributing factor to the crash.
Salem Police had been called initially to the crash in the 200 block of East State Street, at 10:56 a.m. Monday, requesting the Salem Fire Department and EMT ambulance to respond. Officers shut down East State Street for an extended period of time and requested the Ohio State Highway Patrol to also respond, turning over the crash investigation to OSHP.
The crash remains under investigation.