CIRCLEVILLE TOWNSHIP, OH — A high-speed “road rage” confrontation turned physical Monday evening, resulting in a two-car collision on US-22. The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene after two drivers reportedly used their vehicles to engage one another in a dangerous highway duel.
High-Speed Passing Maneuver
The incident occurred at approximately 5:55 PM on April 27, 2026, near the 799 block of US-22. According to the official crash report, Lexus Lee Kaj Forrest, 26, was operating a black 2015 GMC Acadia (Unit 1) when she attempted to pass a white 2014 Toyota Camry (Unit 2) driven by Derek M. Thomas.
Sheriff’s investigators say the maneuver was sparked by an “ongoing road rage incident.” Forrest allegedly pulled into the opposing lane of travel and accelerated to approximately 80 mph—nearly double the posted 45 mph speed limit—to overtake the other vehicle.
Accelerating into a Collision
Rather than allowing the pass, Thomas allegedly accelerated his Toyota to prevent the GMC from re-entering the lane. As the two vehicles continued to engage in the high-speed dispute, they made contact, sideswiping each other while traveling at high speeds.
Deputies Brandon Cooper and Stacey Eitel arrived on the scene within minutes. While both vehicles sustained minor damage, the risk to public safety was extreme given the speeds and the “Straight Level” contour of the roadway.
Results and Safety
Both drivers were wearing their safety belts, and despite the 80 mph speeds reported by the vehicles’ Electronic Data Recorders (EDR), no injuries were reported at the scene. The blacktop surface was dry and weather conditions were clear at the time of the impact.
The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office has completed its initial investigation, and citations are typically issued in cases involving such aggressive driving behaviors.
