Trish Bennett, Editor
HARRISON TOWNSHIP – A Columbus man is in critical but stable condition following a five-car crash Monday morning on U.S. Route 23.
The names of the victims have not yet been released as the investigation continues, according to Deputy Tracy Andrews, Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office.
Andrews said the critically-injured man, age 45, of Columbus, was traveling southbound on U.S. Route 23 in a maroon Honda Civic about 6:56 a.m. when he went off the roadway and crossed through the median into oncoming traffic in the northbound lanes.
The Civic struck one northbound vehicle, Andrews said, then spun off of it and was struck by another. In all, three northbound vehicles were directly involved in the crash, and a fourth crashed after striking debris in the roadway.
Andrews said it is currently unknown what caused the southbound driver to cross the median, and the crash remains under investigation.
The Civic’s driver was the most serious injury resulting from the crash, Andrews said. He is being treated at Grant Medical Center in Columbus.
His vehicle also suffered the heaviest damage in the crash, losing axles, wheels and the motor in the multiple impacts.
Other drivers and at least one passenger also were transported to Columbus hospitals for treatment.
Andrews said MedFlight was called but was unable to respond at the time of the crash. The victims were transported to Columbus by Harrison Township and Scioto Township EMS.
Traffic was blocked in both directions on U.S. Route 23 for several hours, then gradually reopened to traffic one lane at a time. Investigators were actively on the scene about seven hours until completely clearing about 2 p.m.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
