Staff report

BEAVER TOWNSHIP — A woman from Columbiana died and a Youngstown man suffered serious injuries in an 11:14 a.m. single-vehicle crash Friday on state Route 7 near West Middletown Road in Beaver Township.

Karen Mraz, 77, of Columbiana died at the scene, and Sam Yovanovich, 66, of Youngstown, the driver, suffered serious injuries when their car traveled off the right side of the road, struck a pole and became engulfed in flames, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, which is investigating the crash.

Yovanovich was extricated from the vehicle by Beaver Township emergency services and transported to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital for treatment. Mraz and Yovanovich were wearing seat belts.

Drugs and alcohol do not appear to be a factor in the crash, according to the state patrol. Departments assisting at the scene include the Beaver Township fire and ambulance personnel.

Yovanovich was driving a 2020 Buick SUV north on Route 7 at the time of the crash, the state patrol reported.