Possibility of seizure raised as name released in fatal crash near Erie's Bayfront Parkway

This story has been updated with the correct name of the victim of the accident. The Erie County Coroner's Office said it initially released another name in error.

A 42-year-old motorist killed when his Toyota sedan flipped over near Erie's Bayfront Parkway on Thursday afternoon was said to have a history of seizures, but the cause of the one-car crash might never be determined, Erie police said.

The Erie County Coroner's Office identified the motorist as Von D. McCallum, of Erie. Coroner Lyell Cook said on Friday he ruled that McCallum died of multiple blunt force trauma due to an automobile accident.

McCallum was the only occupant of the car, which police described as a 2005 Toyota Avalon. McCallum was killed after the car hit a curb and went airborne as it was headed east on East Fifth Street shortly before 2:20 p.m. on Thursday.

The Toyota hit the curb where East Fifth Street turns into Wayne Street heading south. Wayne Street in that area runs parallel to the Bayfront Parkway, which is to the east.

The Toyota was traveling about 50 mph in a 25-mph zone, said Erie police Sgt. Thomas Dunmire, the accident investigator on the case.

On Friday, Dunmire said family members reported that McCallum had a history of "seizures and epileptic episodes," but he said that only a medical professional could determine if McCallum suffered a seizure before the accident.

Dunmire said McCallum was driving with a suspended and expired license.

Cook said his office is not performing an autopsy in the case. He said whether a seizure occurred could have only been determined while McCallum was still alive. McCallum was pronounced dead at the scene.

Just before MCallum's Toyota hit the curb, it sideswiped two cars on East Fifth Street — one on the north side and the other on the south side, Dunmire said. He said the car then hit the curb, which "acted like a ramp" and vaulted the Toyota into the air.

He said the Toyota struck the cement barrier that runs along the west side of the Bayfront Parkway. The car then flipped over and came to rest near the railroad tracks that run between the Bayfront Parkway and Wayne Street.

McCallum was not wearing a seatbelt, Cook and Dunmire said.

The accident was reported at 2:22 p.m. on Thursday, Assistant Erie Fire Chief Gregory Purchase said. He said firefighters arrived about three minutes later.

ContactEd Palattella at epalattella@timesnews.com or 814-870-1813. Follow him on X @ETNpalattella.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Motorist killed in crash near Erie's Bayfront Parkway named