Witnesses Say SUV Ran Red Light at 100 MPH and Slammed Into Turning Dump Truck in Columbus; Force of Impact Separates SUV Body From Frame, Driver Killed
COLUMBUS, OHIO — A driver is dead after witnesses say his SUV ran a red light at approximately 100 mph on Columbus' Southeast Side Sunday afternoon before slamming head-on into a Kenworth dump truck that was making a turn, with the force of the collision separating the SUV's body from its frame and rolling it onto its side.
Columbus police Accident Investigation Unit responded to the intersection of Winchester Pike and Refugee Road at approximately 2:40 p.m. on June 22. A white 2003 GMC Yukon was traveling southbound on Winchester Pike when it ran over the concrete median and struck a 2019 Kenworth tandem dump truck head-on as the truck was attempting a left turn onto westbound Refugee Road.
The dump truck driver told police he had a green turn arrow when he began the turn. Four witnesses told investigators the GMC had a red light and was speeding. Some witnesses estimated the SUV was traveling at approximately 100 mph before impact.
The force of the collision separated the GMC Yukon's body from its frame. Columbus Division of Fire medics pronounced the SUV driver dead at the scene. The Franklin County Coroner's Office is working to identify the deceased driver.
Columbus police closed the intersection while the Accident Investigation Unit investigated. The crash remains under investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Columbus Division of Police Accident Investigation Unit at 614-645-4767.
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