Three people were hospitalized after a Friday-night crash where South Hamilton Road meets eastbound I-70 in southeast Columbus. A juvenile in the car that was struck was in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.
Police said the driver of a black Chevrolet Impala failed to yield on a left turn and hit a red Toyota Corolla that had a green light. The Impala driver was in stable condition and was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, NBC4 reported, and the crash was still under investigation.
The collision happened around 9:20 p.m. The Corolla was traveling northbound on South Hamilton Road toward the ramp to I-70 eastbound. The Impala was heading southbound on Hamilton Road and attempting to turn left onto the eastbound freeway.
The Corolla's driver and juvenile occupant were both taken to hospitals in critical condition. Police described the juvenile's injuries as life-threatening.
Ohio law requires a driver turning left to yield to approaching traffic that is in the intersection or close enough to be an immediate hazard, under Revised Code Section 4511.42. Police said the Impala did not yield. That rule does not, by itself, determine fault while investigators have the crash open.
Information can be directed to the Columbus Police Accident Investigation Unit at 614-645-4767, or to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-TIPS (8477), 10TV reported.
