Staff report
BAZETTA
The Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office plans to file felony charges Monday against the operator of the rodeo that performed at the Trumbull County Fair Friday night after an illegal fireworks show spooked a horse ridden by a mounted deputy who suffered multiple injuries.
Allen Smith, 76, of Orangeville, suffered two broken ribs, a punctured lung and a broken shoulder in the fall caused by the fireworks, said Capt. Harold Firster of the sheriff’s office.
Smith is in St. Joseph Health Center in Warren and is expected to remain there until at least Sunday, Firster said.
A rodeo official was advised before the show that fireworks were not permitted without a license, but fireworks were lit anyway, and they spooked the horses in the rodeo and the horses used by the mounted sheriff’s deputies, Firster said.
Deputy Rick Tackett said felony charges related to shooting off fireworks without a license are likely to be filed Monday after consulting with prosecutors.
The fair website called the event Broken Horn Rodeo and said it featured bull riding, bucking broncos, barrel racing, steer wrestling and team roping.
Comments
I hope Mr Smith makes a speedy recovery .
Deputies do important public safety work . How many of them are of such advanced age ? Shouldn't there be a mandatory retirement age ?
I hope he makes a speedy recovery too!
But come on a 76 year old mounted policeman? He couldn't fall off a tricycle without getting hurt. Where is the common sense in the sheriffs office? He's going to make an arrest? I want to see this guy face a resisting arrest criminal. No doubt his injury is a workman's comp claim! Wow give the Sheriff on ONION!
The proximate cause is still the hick running the rodeo who disobeyed the law and common sense.
Perhaps you should defend the hick in court with your "age" excuse.
The big picture folks.
If the fireworks were illegal, why were they allowed to set them off in the first place? Weren't there any young deputies there to enforce the law? What are they getting paid for to watch the crime be comitted?
Defend mna comments ? I can.
A 76 year old does not need to be "on the street" law enforcement. Supervisor maybe but not in the thick of things. They need to rethink where they assign their deputies.
there is a definite need to heavily tax fireworks and enforce strong laws against using them illegaly.A heavy tax on fireworks could cover these injury costs to the tax payer.
the mounted deputies serve an important function. ie. crowd control, search and rescue and many other public services.yes they do have young deputies coming up but this 76 year old has served for many years and he deserves the honor and respect he gets for attending and participiating in our county fair for many years. hats off to mr. smith!!!