WARREN, Ohio (AP) — A scoutmaster has been killed and his wife and five scouts injured when a rear tire on his SUV blew while leading a caravan headed to a camping trip in Ontario, Canada.
The state Highway Patrol says 60-year-old James Potjunas lost control of the SUV Saturday morning after the tire blew on State Route 11 in Trumbull County's Gustavas Township. The patrol says the SUV slid off the road and overturned in the median.
Potjunas' wife, Sandra, and the five scouts were taken to a hospital for non-life threatening injuries. All were wearing seatbelts.
Potjunas, of Vienna, started Warren-based Scout Troop 101 as a teenager 42 years ago. A Great Trail Council executive board member tells the Warren Chronicle-Tribune that Potjunas was the most dedicated scoutmaster he'd ever known.
(Photo courtesy Ed Byers)