Car Misses Pedestrian and Hits Tree

Occurred on January 11, 2023 / Norwalk, Ohio, USA

Info from Licensor: "The driver of an SUV that went off the road and hit a tree was taken to Fisher-Titus by ambulance Wednesday afternoon.

Joseph A. Smith, 45, of Milliman Road, was involved in an earlier accident on Main Street and Prospect Avenue and fled the scene, Capt. Jim Fulton said.

Smith then turned on Corwin Street and was traveling at a high rate of speed. He went through a yard and came out on Woodlawn Avenue where he just missed hitting a turning car and a man walking his dog before hitting the tree, Fulton said.

When Norwalk Police Sgt. Michael Biller arrived at the scene, the SUV was smoking. He used his extinguisher and later Norwalk fire Capt. Charles Hillman used another extinguisher to cool down the hot spots.

Smith was charged with OVI, hit-skip, a stop sign violation and reckless operation.

He was bleeding from his face when he walked to the ambulance.

As of midday Thursday, he is in the Huron County Jail with a holder from adult parole, Fulton said.

Norwalk fire arrived at the scene with Hillman and inspector Ryan Houghtlen securing the site, cutting the battery cable to disconnect power to the vehicle.

Norb Simon and Frank Resor of Norb's Towing removed the car from the scene. When they pulled the car off the tree, it toppled to the ground."