A fatal crash involving a semitrailer and a van on Interstate 270 South in southeast Columbus left one person dead yesterday morning. The crash occurred near the junction of I-270 and U.S. Route 33, as reported by multiple sources. According to WBNS, the Columbus Division of Police responded to the accident just before 10:30 a.m. The officers found that the tractor-trailer had struck a Chevrolet van that had either slowed down or stopped on the highway, leading the semi to turn onto its side and go off the road.
Initial reports mistakenly suggested that two people were killed in the incident. However, it was later confirmed that the deceased was the driver of the semi. As emergency crews and the police worked on the scene, all lanes of I-270 South beyond U.S. 33 East were closed, causing significant traffic delays, as per information obtained from ABC6. The ramps from I-70 to I-270 South were also shut down as the scene was being investigated.
Despite initial confusion, Columbus police later updated that only one fatality occurred. Columbus Division of Fire Battalion Chief Jeff Geitter reported that the individual was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:28 a.m., according to the coverage by WBNS. The identity of the victim has not been released pending notification of the family.
It is yet unclear how long it will take to fully reopen the road, as revealed by NBC4i's reporting. Details of what led to the crash were not immediately available, but the stretch of I-270 where it took place has been under construction, which might have been a contributing factor. Traffic cameras captured images of the semi overturned on the shoulder, with rescue crews and police from multiple agencies attending to the situation. Law enforcement initially had to use the left shoulder to evacuate the stopped vehicles from the affected area carefully.
The Columbus police's Accident Investigation Unit has taken over the inquiry into the crash. Citizens with knowledge relating to this tragic incident are encouraged to reach out to the Accident Investigation Unit at (614) 645-4767, or contact Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-8477 to remain anonymous, according to statements made by Columbus police and reported by ABC6. The community mourns the loss as they await further details from the ongoing investigation.
