These were the top stories in the city of Akron that we covered this year

Here's a look back at the Akron stories you clicked on the most here at WKYC.com in 2018:

5. Father, son severely burned in Summit County yard work accident

Burning weeds were simply part of the summer outdoor chores for Aaron Morris and his 12-year-old son Mason. Until Mason caught on fire.

"Before you knew it he was literally a ball of flames from head to toe. I just went into dad mode and did what I had to do. I immediately started tearing his clothes off of him. It was like a surreal scene out of a movie," Aaron told our Dawn Kendrick.

80 percent of Mason's body was burned. Aaron received severed burns to his hands.

Read the story HERE

---

4. Officials identify Akron firefighters accused of filming porn at work

In June, a pair of Akron firefighters were accused of filming pornographic material while at work at a station on Akron-Peninsula Road.

Lt. Art Dean, assigned to Station 9, and provisional Lt. Deann Eller, assigned to Station 3, were placed on paid administrative leave on June 18.

"These distressing allegations bring dishonor and embarrassment to our department and the city, and unfairly discredit the reputation of Akron firefighters," Akron Fire Chief Clarence Tucker said at a press conference that day. "I know this department and this is not who we are."

Four days later, Dean agreed to discipline for "conduct unbecoming of a member of the Akron Fire Department" and was no longer eligible to serve, while Eller offered her resignation.

Read the story HERE

---

3. Woman suffers broken jaw after man throws rock in road rage incident in Akron

Kimberly Guy was at the stop light at the Akron intersection of East Market Street and Verdun Drive, when a man on a bicycle rode by.

Guy says she didn’t think anything of it until she made a right turn and heard a commotion.

“When I looked over, the guy was like you need to pay attention to where you are driving and he picked a rock and just through it at me,” Guy said. “My passenger window was down so it came through and hit me in my face."

The result was devastating. The suspect broke Guy’s jaw, damaged five teeth and a gash on her lip needed stitches.

Read the story HERE

---

2. Akron area gets Northeast Ohio's first 'R-rated' haunted house

At one Akron-area haunted house, you can be touched, your clothes can get ripped off, and you might even leave with a bruise or two. Akron Fright Fest was dubbed the first "R-rated" haunted house in the area at Melanie Lake at Kim Tam Park in Springfield Township.

"We wanted to do something different," Pete Kolomichuk, the mastermind behind it all, said. "We wanted to rewrite how haunted houses are done."

During October, Akron Fright Fest raised eyebrows due to what some called over-the-top scares inside the six different houses, including force-feeding and physical contact. Certain houses even required goers to sign a waiver before entering.

However, the greatest backlash came following allegations of a "mock rape" scenario in one of the houses. According to a woman who went inside, one of the workers (in character) pushed her boyfriend onto a plywood bed and said, “He’s mine now and I’m going to rape him.” The pair apparently did not sign a waiver.

The employees involved were later fired while Springfield Township police began an investigation. More police officers and cameras were also brought in and workers were banned from touching the occupants.

On October 25, owner Jeremy Caudill announced that Akron Fright Fest would close until at least the spring due to "current circumstances" and "family matters." In November, Springfield Township Police announced no charges would be filed against Akron Fright Fest.

Read the story HERE

---

1. Driver hits bear on I-77 in Akron

In the early morning hours of June 12, a bear was struck on I-77 north and Vernon Odom Blvd.

Officials with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources told WKYC that they believe this is the bear they had been tracking through Hudson, Brecksville and Wadsworth recently due to the tag on its ear.

The 300 pound bear was apparently struck by a driver who kept going. For future reference, police say when you hit a wild animal, you should call them because your insurance would be likelier to cover repairs.

Investigators say the bear had a tag from the Pennsylvania Game Commission, who told them, it is the time of year when mother bears send cubs out on their own.