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Driver Found Six Hours After Fatal I‑71 Wrong‑Way Crash Near Downtown Columbus

Updated (4 articles)
  • Police are also searching for a driver of a wrong-way vehicle involved in the crash who allegedly ran away from the scene.
    Police are also searching for a driver of a wrong-way vehicle involved in the crash who allegedly ran away from the scene.
    Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)
    Police are also searching for a driver of a wrong-way vehicle involved in the crash who allegedly ran away from the scene. Source Full size

Crash Occurred Early February 13, Initiating Multi‑Vehicle Collision At 1:58 a.m. on Feb 13, a driver traveling south in the northbound lanes of I‑71 near East Broad Street entered oncoming traffic, striking a Ford F‑150 and a semitruck and triggering a chain‑reaction crash that killed 53‑year‑old Sean Price, who was ejected from his Ram 1500; all other motorists escaped injury[1][2].

Sequence of Impacts Captured on ODOT Video Ohio Department of Transportation footage shows the wrong‑way vehicle, a black Chrysler Town & Country, first colliding with the Ford F‑150 and a semitruck, then a second semitruck hitting the slowed Ram 1500; Price’s truck spun, caught fire, and landed beneath the first semitruck before he was pronounced dead at Grant Medical Center[2].

Driver Located Six Hours Later and Treated for Hypothermia Police found the Chrysler driver about six hours after the crash, south of the scene and west of I‑71; he was taken to Grant Medical Center for hypothermia treatment, marking the conclusion of a prolonged search effort[1][2].

Investigation Ongoing, Charges Unclear, ODOT Highlights Safety Measures Columbus Police Accident Investigation Unit leads the probe, urging tips via 614‑645‑4767; authorities have not confirmed criminal charges. ODOT notes wrong‑way crashes comprise roughly 0.01 % of Ohio incidents but are 40 times more likely fatal, prompting installation of additional “do not enter” signs, red‑reflector pavement markings, and driver‑detector systems[2][1].

Sources

Timeline

Dec 2025 – OSHP investigates a hit‑skip crash on I‑270 near West Broad Street at about 8 a.m.; a dump truck moves into Pamela Atkinson’s lane, strikes her car, and continues north while Atkinson remains uninjured, and the driver is not identified, prompting authorities to request public tips [3].

Jan 7, 2026 – A 65‑year‑old driver of a 2015 Chevrolet pickup in Gig Harbor accidentally accelerates after his feet become entangled between the accelerator and brake pedals, strikes a stop sign, a parked car, and the north wall of a business, rupturing a gas line; one occupant is hospitalized with non‑life‑threatening injuries, the driver receives precautionary medical evaluation, and police find no criminal violations [4].

Feb 13, 2026, 1:58 a.m. – A driver traveling south in the northbound lanes of I‑71 near East Broad Street collides with a Ford F‑150 and a semitruck, then a second semitruck hits a slowed Ram 1500; 53‑year‑old Sean Price is ejected, his vehicle catches fire, and he later dies at Grant Medical Center, while other motorists escape injury [1][2].

Feb 13, 2026, later that morning – Police locate the wrong‑way driver about six hours after the crash, find him south of the scene, and transport him to Grant Medical Center for hypothermia treatment; investigators have not yet announced whether charges will be filed [1].

Feb 13, 2026 – “Wrong‑way crashes represent roughly 0.01 % of Ohio crashes but are about 40 times more likely to be fatal,” says Matt Bruning of the Ohio Department of Transportation, adding that ODOT has installed extra “do not enter” signs, red‑reflector pavement markings, and driver‑detector systems to mitigate the risk [2].

Feb 13, 2026 – onward – The Columbus Police Accident Investigation Unit continues its probe of the I‑71 crash and urges anyone with information, including the Chrysler driver, to call 614‑645‑4767 [1][2].

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