Predawn traffic on I-270 turned deadly Monday when a crash on Columbus's west side killed 45-year-old passenger Jodi Tackett and left another person in critical condition, according to police. The wreck happened near the Georgesville Road ramps on the eastbound side of the interstate, and investigators say the case remains very much active. The arrest of a Columbus woman is the first major legal step in a case that started with an overnight highway crash.
Police say the chain-reaction collision unfolded around 2:40 a.m., when a Toyota Corolla stopped on the left shoulder of eastbound I-270 behind a minivan whose occupants were changing a tire. Investigators report that an Audi A4 then lost control and hit the back of the Corolla, pushing it into the minivan and striking one of the people working on the vehicle. Tackett was pronounced dead at the scene, and the injured person was rushed to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in critical condition, according to The Columbus Dispatch.
Arrest and suspect's record
Columbus police arrested Jaricah Wright and charged her with aggravated vehicular homicide in connection with the crash, officials said. Authorities told reporters that Wright fled the scene on foot but was taken into custody a short distance away. Court records and station reporting indicate that Wright has a history of driving-related cases, including a deadly 2020 crash and subsequent pleas and motions involving OVI and other charges, per WTTE.
What the charge means
Under Ohio law, aggravated vehicular homicide covers causing a death while operating a motor vehicle under the influence or while driving recklessly, among other circumstances. The offense is defined in the Ohio Revised Code at Section 2903.06, which lays out felony penalties and enhanced sentences for repeat OVI-related convictions. Any ultimate charges, added specifications and potential sentences will depend on what prosecutors file and what prior convictions are proven in court.
Investigation and next steps
The Columbus police Accident Investigation Unit is leading the probe, with detectives reviewing physical evidence from the scene along with traffic-camera footage. Anyone with information is asked to contact the unit at 614-645-4767 or share an anonymous tip with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477, according to The Columbus Dispatch. Prosecutors have not yet announced formal court filings or a hearing date tied to the aggravated vehicular homicide charge.
The investigation remains open as authorities work to reconstruct the moments before the Audi left its lane and set off the deadly sequence. While crash experts piece together the evidence, family members and the broader community are left to absorb the sudden loss and wait for answers as the case moves through the justice system.
