FRANKLIN TOWNSHIP, OH — Authorities are investigating two separate fatal crashes that occurred just hours apart overnight in Franklin Township, leaving two people dead and communities in mourning.
The first incident took place just before 12:30 a.m. Sunday on West Broad Street near Broadlawn Avenue, where a woman was struck by a vehicle while walking along the roadway. The vehicle involved, a Honda carrying two occupants, remained at the scene. Emergency responders from the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Columbus Police, and Franklin Township Police rushed to the location and transported the woman to a local hospital. Despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead at 1:05 a.m. Her identity has not yet been released. The driver and passenger of the Honda were uninjured and are cooperating with investigators.
In a separate tragedy just a few hours later, at approximately 5:02 a.m., a man was killed after crashing a Kia Optima into a construction zone on North Hague Avenue, just north of La Vista Drive. According to authorities, the vehicle went airborne before plunging into a deep excavation pit, estimated to be more than 20 feet deep. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:25 a.m. His identity has not been released pending family notification.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Accident Investigation Unit is actively investigating both crashes.
Authorities are reminding drivers to exercise caution, especially during late-night and early morning hours, and to remain alert for pedestrians and construction hazards.
