Westbound I-70 Closed Near Downtown Columbus Due to Serious Crash, One Critically Injured

A serious collision on Interstate 70 near downtown Columbus has led to the closure of all westbound lanes, causing significant traffic disruptions on Tuesday. According to the Columbus Division of Police as WBNS reports, the incident occurred close to the Mound Street exit at approximately 11:30 a.m. and resulted in one person being taken to Grant Medical Center in critical condition.

While details surrounding the crash remain unclear, local emergency responders promptly arrived on the scene to address the aftermath of the incident, with the City of Columbus first reporting the event roughly at 5:28 p.m., the westbound traffic was significantly impeded, and the right lane near Exit 99 towards northbound Highway 315 and southbound Interstate 71 was closed, said Johnny Hill, of Total Traffic Network-610 WTVN, though local agencies have not confirmed the number of vehicles involved or the full extent of the injuries sustained by the victims. Oliver Law Office, a local firm, has already stepped forward offering assistance to those affected by the crash, emphasizing the importance of attending to one's health and mental wellness following such traumatic events, their dedicated team stated, according to Oliver Law Office.

The westbound portion of I-70 between Mound Street and State Route 315 was closed down in the wake of the incident. As reported by the Columbus Dispatch, a Columbus police dispatcher commented on the crash, noting that the exact cause of the crash is still under investigation and that the road and ramp closures were in full effect as of 12:45 p.m.

According to a live traffic map maintained by the Ohio Department of Transportation, congestion was evident in the area as of the early afternoon. It was uncertain when normal traffic flow would resume—an assessment paralleled by the Columbus Police dispatcher who could not provide a timeline for when the road and ramp might reopen, adding to the day's transportation woes for countless commuters and travelers alike, this congestion illustrates the cascading effects that a single event on a vital thoroughfare can have on a city's intricate transit networks.