A tragic multi-vehicle crash on the west side of Columbus claimed the life of Jodi Tackett, 45, early Monday morning, leaving another person critically injured and leading to one individual being taken into custody.
According to the Columbus Division of Police, officers were dispatched around 2:40 a.m. to the area of Interstate 270 South near Georgesville Road after reports of a serious collision involving multiple vehicles.
Investigators said two individuals were outside a Toyota minivan on the eastbound side of the interstate, changing a tire while parked along the shoulder. Although they were not in the travel lanes, the situation quickly turned deadly.
Police stated that Tackett was seated inside a Toyota Corolla parked roughly 50 feet behind the minivan when a 2011 Audi A4 traveling eastbound lost control and veered off the left side of the roadway. The Audi slammed into the rear of the Corolla with force, causing a chain reaction that pushed the Corolla into the minivan and struck one of the individuals nearby.
Following the crash, the Audi came to a stop. Authorities said the driver exited the vehicle and fled on foot but was later found near a Lowe’s store on Georgesville Square Drive.
Tackett was pronounced dead at the scene at 2:51 a.m. The injured victim was transported to Grant Medical Center in critical condition.
Police confirmed that one person has since been taken into custody as the investigation continues into the deadly crash.
