A late-night collision on northbound State Route 315 at King Avenue in northwest Columbus left one person dead and five others hospitalized, authorities said, turning a busy commuter corridor near The Ohio State University into a gridlocked crash scene.
Officers and first responders were called to the two-vehicle crash around 10:13 p.m. Monday. According to WSYX, five people were taken to area hospitals, while one person was pronounced dead at the scene. All northbound lanes were shut down for more than an hour as crews worked, snarling late-night traffic near campus.
WSYX reports that police were still keeping all northbound lanes closed as of 11:00 p.m. while investigators collected evidence and reconstructed the crash. Officers have not yet released information about the identities or conditions of those involved.
Where It Happened
SR-315, which parallels the Olentangy River and runs past The Ohio State University, is a heavily traveled north-south route that funnels both commuter and campus traffic. The City of Columbus crash-history appendix flags King Avenue and nearby corridors as recurring high-crash locations, a reputation that has been underscored by other serious incidents this year, including a March semi crash that temporarily shut northbound lanes, as reported by WCMH via Yahoo.
Traffic and Response
Authorities urged drivers to steer clear of the area and use alternate routes while crews cleared the scene. Local traffic cameras and reporting showed backups spilling onto nearby surface streets as the closure dragged on.
Police did not immediately release a cause for the crash or the names of those involved, WSYX reported, and investigators were conducting a reconstruction to piece together what happened. Anyone with dash-cam video or information is encouraged to contact the Columbus Division of Police to assist the ongoing investigation.
