An 81-year-old man was struck and killed by a Jeep Cherokee on Cleveland Avenue in north Columbus on Sunday night while crossing outside a marked crosswalk, authorities said. Emergency crews transported him to Riverside Methodist Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Police said the driver stayed at the scene while investigators collected evidence.
According to WBNS, Columbus police identified the victim as 81-year-old Abdullah Farah. The station reports the crash happened before 10:45 p.m. Sunday on Cleveland Avenue north of Green Apple Avenue and that Farah was later pronounced dead at 12:26 a.m. Monday at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital.
Cleveland Avenue Crossings Draw Concern
The stretch of Cleveland Avenue has been at the center of neighborhood safety worries after a series of serious collisions. Coverage of a January North Linden hit-and-run details those concerns and highlights the city's Walk Safe on Cleveland Avenue initiative, which aims to install safer crossings and better lighting along the corridor.
The Columbus Division of Police's Accident Investigation Unit is handling the latest case, and detectives say the investigation remains open. Officers are asking anyone who witnessed the collision or has video of it to contact Columbus police authorities, per reporting by WBNS.
Neighbors said this latest death will likely ramp up demands for quicker safety upgrades along busy northside streets. Authorities have not released further information about the driver or any potential charges as the investigation continues.
