Barberton man faces reckless driving charges

BGNN staff report

A Barberton man faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident, reckless operation, driving left of center, traffic control devices, and further charges are pending as investigation continues, according to a Summit County Sheriff’s Office news release.

At about 6:15 p.m. March 26, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office was notified of an individual who had been driving recklessly in Coventry Township, the news release states. 

Deputies located the vehicle in a parking lot on Manchester Road in Coventry. It was determined the vehicle had been reported stolen from the City of Akron, the release states. 

As the deputy approached the vehicle and gave the driver commands to exit the vehicle, the suspect fled the scene. As the suspect fled, he struck a parked vehicle and almost hit multiple pedestrians in the parking lot, according to the Sheriff’s Office release.

The suspect was located a short time later on Portage Lakes Drive. Deputies attempted to stop the vehicle, and the suspect subsequently struck several items near the roadway. The suspect’s vehicle started to smoke and then became engulfed in flames. The New Franklin Fire Department responded to the scene, the release states.

The suspect refused to exit the vehicle and a Sheriff’s K-9 was able to apprehend the suspect without further incident. The suspect was treated and released by the New Franklin Fire Department, according to the news release.

The suspect was identified as Stephen P. Simpson, age 38, of Barberton. Simpson was arrested and charged with Driving left of Center, Traffic Control Devices, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, and Reckless Operation. Simpson was transported to the Summit County Jail. Further charges are pending the outcome of the investigation, the release states.