One dead after fiery, wrong-way, four-vehicle collision in Downtown, Columbus

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A four-vehicle crash in Downtown, Columbus resulted in at least one death, a fire, and caused Interstate 71 North to close Friday morning. According to police, one vehicle traveling in the wrong direction caused a four-vehicle crash that then started a fire on I-71 North, near the East Broad Street exit. Columbus Fire Chief Jeffrey Geitter told NBC4 that one person was hospitalized in critical condition. Columbus police later confirmed that one person died. In a released incident report, police state that a black Chrysler Town & Country was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes when it struck a Ford F-150 and a semitruck traveling in the north. A few minutes after the initial crash, a Ram 1500 slowed to avoid the crash, but was hit from behind by a second semitruck. The crash was captured on ODOT traffic cameras. NBC4 edited the clip to show the initial crash involving the wrong-way driver and the moments before the vehicle involved in the second crash caught fire. The driver of the Ram was hospitalized in critical condition, but later pronounced dead. The drivers of the semitrucks were not injured, while the driver of the Chrysler ran away. One of the vehicles was engulfed in flames when emergency crews arrived and all northbound lanes on I-71 were closed since the incident, which occurred just after 2 a.m. Additionally, exit ramps from I-70 to I-71 North were also closed. The highway reopened at 9 a.m. Friday after a seven-hour closure. Any person with knowledge of the involved vehicle or driver is encouraged to contact the Accident Investigation Unit at (614) 645-4767. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may contact Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at (614) 461-8477.