Reckless Ohio Driver Causes Multi-Car Crash on Interstate 71, Flees Scene Unscathed
Columbus, OH, May 6, 2025 – A reckless driver in a red minivan triggered a three-vehicle pileup on Interstate 71 South near downtown Columbus on April 30, 2025, after coming to a complete stop in the middle lane during rush hour traffic to merge into a missed exit. The incident, captured on Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) traffic cameras, showed the driver fleeing the scene unharmed, leaving behind damaged vehicles and shaken drivers. The crash, which occurred around 5:24 p.m. near the Interstate 670 interchange, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed calls for road safety awareness.
According to ODOT, the red minivan was traveling southbound in the middle lane when it passed the I-670 exit. Instead of proceeding to the next exit, the driver abruptly stopped, with their right turn signal on, attempting to cross into the exit lane. This dangerous maneuver forced two vehicles—a gray van and a white van—to stop behind the minivan, while other cars swerved to avoid a collision. Moments later, a large silver van, unable to stop in time, crashed into the two stationary vehicles, causing significant damage. The red minivan, untouched by the collision, seized the opportunity to merge onto the exit ramp and drive away, as seen in ODOT’s viral video posted on X by Press Secretary Matt Bruning.
“Do not be this driver,” ODOT warned in a statement, emphasizing that stopping on a busy highway is “the worst thing you can do.” Bruning told Fox 8, “If you miss your exit, keep driving and get off at the next one. What this driver did is extremely dangerous.” The video, which garnered significant attention on X, with posts from @DailyLoud and @SpectrumNews1OH condemning the driver’s actions, highlighted the chaos caused by the reckless decision. No life-threatening injuries were reported, but drivers in the crashed vehicles sustained bumps and bruises, and their cars suffered extensive damage, according to People magazine.
The driver of the red minivan has not been identified, and as of May 2, 2025, no crash report was available to confirm whether they returned to the scene or face charges, per The Columbus Dispatch. The Columbus Division of Police and Ohio State Highway Patrol have not commented further, leaving the driver’s fate uncertain. Posts on X, including from @AskPerplexity, noted the ongoing challenge of identifying the motorist, amplifying public frustration over the hit-and-run.
This incident underscores broader concerns about reckless driving in Ohio. A 2024 ValuePenguin study, cited by New York Post, found that reckless driving accounted for 6.4% of U.S. motor vehicle deaths from 2018 to 2022, totaling over 12,600 fatalities. In Ohio, Interstate 71 has seen multiple high-profile crashes, including a fatal wrong-way collision in Morrow County in March 2024 and a deadly crash in Medina County in November 2024, where a fleeing vehicle was also reported. ODOT’s message resonates: with over 5,500 ramps across Ohio, missing an exit is no excuse for endangering lives.
As the investigation continues, the viral footage serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of poor driving decisions. For now, Columbus drivers are left shaken, and authorities urge anyone with information about the red minivan to come forward.
Sources: ABC 6, People, Fox 8, WLWT, 10TV, The Columbus Dispatch, New York Post, X posts