Columbus Police Officer Placed on Leave After Fatal 2 a.m. Crash on West Side
Updated (3 articles)
Crash Occurred Early Sunday at Broad and North Central At approximately 2:50 a.m. on Sunday, December 8, a Columbus police cruiser traveling eastbound on West Broad Street entered the intersection with North Central Avenue and struck a northbound Chevrolet Silverado [3][2]. The collision happened while the traffic signal on North Central was red, and the impact was on the cruiser’s front‑driver side [2][3]. Both vehicles sustained severe damage, prompting emergency responders to the scene within minutes [3].
Officer Was Responding to Burglary With Emergency Lights The officer had been dispatched to a burglary in progress and was operating the cruiser with lights and siren activated when the crash occurred [2][3]. Dash‑cam footage released on December 9 shows the cruiser proceeding through the red light before the Silverado entered the intersection, confirming the emergency response context [2][1]. The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) took charge of the investigation, citing the need to examine traffic‑rule exemptions for emergency vehicles [2][1].
Fatalities and Injuries Resulted From Front‑Side Collision Chevrolet Silverado driver Corey Tinnes, 30, was pronounced dead at a local hospital at 3:20 a.m. following the crash [3][2]. The Columbus officer sustained injuries but remained in stable condition after treatment at a nearby hospital [3][2]. OSHP investigators are collecting additional evidence beyond the dash‑cam video to determine contributing factors such as speed and driver actions [1][2].
Administrative Leave and Ongoing State Investigation Follow Crash The officer was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the OSHP investigation, as required by department policy [1]. Columbus Division of Police policy mandates heightened caution when emergency responders traverse intersections, prompting internal review of whether that standard was met [1]. Experts highlighted the complexity of traffic‑law exceptions for responders, and the Fraternal Order of Police noted the investigation could extend for months [1][2].
Sources
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1.
WBNS: Columbus police officer on administrative leave after fatal crash; investigation remains ongoing: Highlights the officer’s administrative leave, OSHP‑led probe, and departmental policy scrutiny, adding expert commentary on legal implications .
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2.
WBNS: Dashcam video released after fatal crash involving Columbus police cruiser: Focuses on the public release of dash‑cam footage, details of the burglary response, and statements from police leadership about the investigation’s scope .
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3.
WBNS: 30-year-old man dead, Columbus police officer injured in crash on city's west side: Provides the initial incident report, victim identification of Corey Tinnes, family’s brief statement, and confirms OSHP as the investigating agency .
Timeline
Dec 7, 2025 – A Columbus police cruiser responding to a burglary with lights and siren collides with a northbound Chevrolet Silverado at the intersection of West Broad Street and North Central Avenue around 2:50 a.m.; the Silverado driver, 30‑year‑old Corey Tinnes, is pronounced dead at 3:20 a.m. and the officer is hospitalized in stable condition[3].
Dec 7, 2025 – Tinnes’s family tells 10TV, “We are not ready to speak right now, but we will reach out when we are ready,” indicating they will consider future comments[3].
Dec 9, 2025 – Columbus Division of Police releases dash‑cam video showing the cruiser entering a red light at North Central Avenue while responding to the burglary, providing key evidence for the Ohio State Highway Patrol investigation[2].
Dec 9, 2025 – Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 President Brian Steel describes the crash as “devastating” and says the investigation “will take time,” underscoring its impact on the police community[2].
Dec 9, 2025 – A retired Columbus police commander notes, “The video is only one piece of a larger, months‑long process that includes additional evidence,” highlighting that the probe will extend beyond the released footage[2].
Dec 10, 2025 – Columbus police place the officer on administrative leave while the OSHP probe continues, citing department policy that requires “due regard” when proceeding through intersections and confirming the officer remains on leave pending the investigation’s outcome[1].
2025 onward – Ohio State Highway Patrol continues its investigation, stating it will assess possible traffic‑law violations and other factors before any disciplinary or legal actions are determined[1].