Police: Drunken Driver Slams Into Car, Woman's Skull Fractured
The following information was supplied by the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department. It does not indicate a conviction.
Updated Nov. 15, 10:44 a.m.
On Nov. 8 at 10:18 p.m., Cuyahoga Falls Police, Fire and EMS raced to State Road and Portage Trail, and found two mangled SUVs upon arrival.
According to police, Tamara L. Gunnels was drunk and driving north on State when she slammed her Land Rover into the back of a GMC Terrain, which was stopped at the Portage Trail traffic light.
The violent collision sent both vehicles spinning into the middle of the intersection.
Gunnels, 37, of Cuyahoga Falls, was arrested and charged with aggravated vehicular assault, a third-degree felony.
The other driver, June Bilinovich, 57, of Clinton, sustained “an open skull fracture, rib fractures and a partially collapsed lung,” according to the police report.
Her injuries were described as “serious” by EMS at the scene and she was rushed to an area hospital.
Bilinovich’s condition is unknown at this time.
Gunnels appeared for a preliminary hearing before Judge Kim Hoover in Stow Municipal Court on Wednesday, reports the Stow Clerk of Courts Office.
Given the felony charge, Gunnels will be prosecuted by the Summit County Court of Common Pleas in the coming weeks.
Darla DeNiro
8:55 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
If Ohio would only legalize pot, this kind of stuff wouldn't happen. Are you listening senators & congressmen?
Kristina D.
9:19 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
What does pot have anything to do with this article? SHE WAS DRUNK! She was not high. Alcohol is LEGAL to drink and she got into a vehicle and badly injured this woman.
William Wells
12:56 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
How much weed do you have to smoke to think that legalizing marijuana is a logical response to this story?
Earl Elevant
1:04 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
I think Darla means she would be too stoned and lazy to read this story. That's what "this kind of stuff wouldn't happen" means.
I don't think she means the drunk driving incident wouldn't have happened.
Patricia Mancine-Mraz
10:31 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
THAT'S THE ISSUE KRISTINA ..
Raymond Skocir
11:48 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
But if she was high she probably would have been stopping at the green lights too
THOMAS KANE
12:24 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
I can understand pot for medical use for pain mgmt.I have no issue wth that.Even if pot was legal,she still has the option too get intoxicated under whatever substance and climb into that vehicle knowing she shouldnt.She has permanentlyruined and altered that poor woman `s life through no fault of her own.She also ruined her own life witha prison record because she assaulted and hurt someone with her vehicle her choice too drive drunk.That has 0 too do with pot being legal.Its not like pot wouldnt have affected her judgement,reflexes anyhow that is why they treat CHRONIC SEVERE PAIN with it.
Kristy Lynn
10:08 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012
I believe in an eye for an eye!
jon b
5:31 pm on Monday, February 11, 2013
Your all stupid. She made a mistake. You ever make one? She'll pay for her sins. It is to bad someone got hurt. Tamara is one of the sweetest and caring person on the planet. She would help anyone. You people suck! Keep your stupid opinions to yourselves.
Ed Fisher
10:49 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
"Tamara is one of the sweetest and caring person on the planet." Apparently not caring enough to not get drunk and get behind the wheel.
Derp Spotter
10:03 am on Tuesday, February 12, 2013
"Your all stupid."
And this coming from someone who used the wrong 'your.' You're being paged to the parking lot to get the Dollar Tree carts.
Derp.