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Accident Victim Returns to Crossing to Celebrate Improvements

West Side Leader

11/26/2009

By Kathleen Folkerth

Editor’s note: These photos and cutline originally ran in the June 2, 2005, West Side Leader.

SHARON — A victim of a near-fatal accident last fall was among those in attendance at a ribbon-cutting ceremony May 25 at the railroad crossing on Beach Road, which has new gates and flashers.

Ron Nice was seriously injured last Nov. 4 at the crossing. He was assisted after the accident by nearby resident Brenda Sablotny, who also attended the ceremony and who was formally introduced to Nice at the ceremony, shown at left.

The Medina County Railroad Safety Task Force determined that the Beach Road crossing, along with those at Branch and Garman roads, was one of the three most dangerous unprotected crossings in Medina County.

The Task Force and Sharon Township Board of Trustees recognized and thanked those who contributed nearly $500,000 for the improvements, including the Public Utilities Commission (PUCO), The Angels on Track Foundation and the North American Railway Foundation.

Shown cutting the ribbon before the new gate are, shown at right, from left, Sharon Township Trustee Emil Bolas and Nice.

Nice said he is hopeful that the crossing improvements will raise Medina County motorists’ awareness at railroad crossings.

Photos: Ken Crisafi

http://www.angelsontrack.org/wsl112609.html