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Franklin County

Columbus Car Crash: Man Killed After Being Struck by Vehicle

by David Harrison – Chief Editor October 23, 2025

written by David Harrison – Chief Editor

driver Struck ‍and Killed After Exchanging Information at Easton Crash ⁤Scene

Columbus, OH – ⁤A driver was fatally struck by another vehicle‍ in Columbus’ Easton area Tuesday afternoon⁢ while exchanging ‌insurance ‌information following a separate traffic crash, according to Columbus police. The incident occurred around 12:09⁢ p.m. ‌at the intersection of Steltzer ⁢Road and Montclair⁤ Drive in ‍front of Abbott Laboratories.

Police say the‌ victim had been involved in an initial ⁤collision and was standing‌ between the two vehicles involved‌ when a third vehicle crashed into one of them from behind, pushing it into the individual.

The victim was transported⁢ to Mt. Carmel St. Ann’s Hospital‍ in⁣ Westerville and pronounced dead at 1:16 ‍p.m.⁢ Authorities‍ have not yet released the victim’s identity⁣ pending notification of next ⁢of kin.

The driver of⁢ the vehicle‍ that struck ⁣the victim remained ⁣at⁣ the scene.⁤

The‌ Columbus police accident ⁣Investigation Unit is investigating the crash and asks anyone with ⁢information to ⁤contact them at 614-645-4767.

October 23, 2025 0 comments

News

Measles Symptoms: Ohio Cases Rise as Outbreak Spreads

by Emma Walker – News Editor October 17, 2025

written by Emma Walker – News Editor

Columbus, OH – A fifth case of measles has ⁤been reported in central ohio, Franklin County Public Health announced ⁤Wednesday. The case, identified in an unvaccinated⁢ child, follows a recent international trip and is ⁢unrelated to a smaller outbreak earlier this year in New Albany.

Health officials are working to identify any potential exposures, though currently, no public risk is believed to exist beyond ⁢a healthcare setting. This latest case comes as the United States ‌experiences its highest measles case count as 1992, with nearly 1,600 cases reported in 42 states as of late September, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ohio previously declared an end to⁤ a separate measles⁢ outbreak in June.

Measles is a highly ⁢contagious disease characterized‌ by fever, rash, cough, and red, watery eyes. It can lead to serious complications, including brain swelling and neurological damage. The virus spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and 90% of⁢ unvaccinated individuals exposed to measles will become infected.

Vaccination is a⁢ safe and ⁤effective way to prevent measles.

October 17, 2025 0 comments

News

I-270 Shooting: Police Seek Suspect After Highway Closure

by Emma Walker – News Editor October 10, 2025

written by Emma Walker – News Editor

Columbus police are seeking the public’s⁤ assistance in⁢ locating a suspect and⁤ vehicle involved⁢ in a shooting on⁤ interstate 270 on the city’s North Side. authorities⁣ released images and video footage⁣ Wednesday, Oct. 9, hoping ⁣to generate ‌leads in the ongoing examination.

The incident prompted traffic disruptions ⁣as the suspect vehicle stopped in ⁤the middle of⁣ the interstate, causing motorists to swerve and traffic to back up. While the video released by the Ohio Department of Transportation dose not capture the shooting itself, it documents the immediate aftermath and the potential danger created by the suspect’s actions.

Police describe the suspect vehicle as a dark-colored, four-door sedan. Video shows the vehicle halting traffic and the driver’s side door opening while on the interstate.The footage then shows eastbound traffic slowing and backing up.

Anyone with data regarding the shooting or the vehicle is urged to contact Columbus police at 614-645-4740 ‌or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.

Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, on‍ X at ShahidMeighan, and on Bluesky at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com.

October 10, 2025 0 comments

News

Ohio Identifies Skeletal Remains Found in Columbus After 36 Years

by David Harrison – Chief Editor October 8, 2025

written by David Harrison – Chief Editor

Central Ohio ‍Cold Case Solved: ⁤Man ⁣Found in 1991 Identified Through⁣ DNA ‌Technology

Columbus, OH – After more than three⁣ decades, the identity of a man whose remains were discovered in franklin County in 1991 has been confirmed as Ernest Emerson Carter, thanks to advancements in DNA technology and a collaborative effort between local and state agencies.The breakthrough, announced today, brings closure to a decades-old mystery.

Carter’s remains were initially found in 1991, but traditional methods of identification proved unsuccessful. The case was revisited utilizing modern forensic techniques, including ⁤DNA analysis through the‌ Ohio⁢ Bureau of ⁢Criminal ⁤Inquiry’s (BCI) Project LINK, an initiative comparing ‌unidentified remains DNA with that of missing persons. These initial searches ‍yielded no matches.

Further DNA testing conducted by BCI also‌ failed to generate leads. The Porchlight ⁤Project, a non-profit organization funding forensic genealogy for families of missing⁣ and murdered individuals,⁣ then ‍stepped in, providing‌ funding for⁤ testing by Othram, a‍ Texas-based forensics technology company, last year.

Genealogists working with BCI were ⁤able to build a family tree‍ and ultimately identified a male ⁣relative. Subsequent DNA confirmation established the remains as‌ those⁣ of Ernest Emerson‍ Carter. A photograph from ⁢June 1948, provided by ‍the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, shows Carter second from the left.

“We believe each person is worthy of dignity and respect,” Franklin County Coroner Nathan Overmire said in ⁢a statement. “Our patients ⁣can no longer advocate⁤ for themselves, ⁤so we must on their behalf.I am ⁤extremely proud of ‍the compassionate, talented staff who ‌worked on ‍this case from ‍my office, ⁣BCI⁣ and ‌our community partners. Together, ‍we were able to utilize science to solve⁢ a mystery.”

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost lauded ⁤the “public-private partnership” that led to the identification. “Solving a cold case takes teamwork, technology and ‍tenacity – all of which were on display in⁣ this case,” Yost stated. “This type of public-private⁢ partnership has a direct impact on so many and brings real results to loved ones.”

The identification highlights the growing role of forensic genealogy‍ in⁢ resolving cold cases and providing answers⁤ to families ⁣who have long sought closure.

October 8, 2025 0 comments

News

Columbus Judge Dismisses 1994 Rape Case Due to Lack of Investigation

by David Harrison – Chief Editor October 2, 2025

written by David Harrison – Chief Editor

Columbus Rape ‌Case Dismissed: Judge Cites Decades of Police⁤ Inaction

COLUMBUS, OH – A 1994 rape ‌case in Columbus has been dismissed after a Franklin County judge found that police failed to adequately investigate the crime for nearly three decades, violating the legal standard of “reasonable diligence.” The suspect, identified in June 2024⁤ through⁤ genetic genealogy after an⁢ initial “John Doe” indictment in 2013, will not be prosecuted.

Judge david Brown ruled that while the initial‌ indictment was filed ⁤within the statute ⁤of limitations, ‍the “minimal efforts” made by Columbus police detectives between 1994 and 2024 were insufficient. The decision, detailed in court documents, effectively ends the prosecution of⁤ the suspect, identified through DNA matching⁢ to evidence collected at the scene of the⁤ July 1994 assault.

“Though, the laws of Ohio and our separate Constitutions do not permit ‍a ‘crockpot’ approach to criminal investigations: ‍the government cannot ‘set it and forget‍ it,'” Brown wrote in his decision.

The case hinged on a DNA sample⁤ collected from a⁤ pillowcase ⁣following the assault reported by ⁢a 20-year-old woman. Court records indicate detectives also possessed facts regarding a potential suspect living in ⁢the ⁤area at the time,⁣ but no further investigative steps were taken.

Brown specifically noted that a simple neighborhood canvas “would have possibly closed⁣ the examination in ‍weeks not decades,” and that a DNA sample could have been obtained and matched in 1994, ⁣rather‍ than 2024.

Attorneys for⁣ the suspect had argued the prosecution‍ was ⁢barred by the statute of limitations. brown agreed that while the ⁤initial indictment ⁣was timely, the ‍prolonged lack of investigation undermined the case. He also highlighted the loss of three key witnesses who investigated the‌ case in 1994.

The Franklin County prosecutor’s office has the option to appeal Brown’s decision to the Tenth District Court⁣ of appeals.

Reporter Bethany bruner can be ⁤reached at bbruner@gannett.com or on Bluesky at @bethanybruner.dispatch.com.

October 2, 2025 0 comments

Health

Franklin County to Spray for West Nile Virus This Week

by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor September 28, 2025

written by Dr. Michael Lee – Health Editor

West Nile Virus Concerns Prompt Mosquito Spraying in Franklin county

Franklin County Public Health⁣ will‍ conduct targeted mosquito spraying in several areas beginning Monday, October 7, too combat the spread of West ‍Nile virus following ⁣a recent outbreak that impacted the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. The spraying⁢ will occur between 9 p.m. and‍ 6 a.m., weather permitting.

The⁢ decision comes‍ days after the Columbus Zoo announced a West⁢ Nile Virus outbreak infected nearly two dozen lorikeets, resulting in the deaths of 10⁣ birds and hospitalization of the remainder. While human cases are ‌less⁣ severe for ‍most, ‌health officials⁣ are taking preventative measures to‍ limit further exposure.

West Nile virus is transmitted through mosquito bites and is prevalent across ⁤North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia‌ and Asia. According to the Centers ‍for Disease Control and Prevention, ⁤approximately one in five people infected develop symptoms ⁣such as fever, headache, body aches, and flu-like⁤ illness. Though most ⁢recover fully,fatigue and weakness can persist for weeks or months. In rare cases-about one in 150-the virus can lead to encephalitis or meningitis, posing a greater risk to individuals over 60 and those with underlying medical conditions like⁤ cancer and ‌diabetes.

The health department will utilize Permanone 30-30, a low-odor insecticide effective against adult mosquitoes, ⁢midges, and black flies. Specific spraying locations will include areas within⁣ and surrounding the zoo, as well as portions of Blendon Township, Westerville, and Columbus.

Residents can find detailed maps of the spraying areas and further data on the franklin County Public Health website:‌ https://www.franklincountyohio.gov/3318/Mosquito-Control.

September 28, 2025 0 comments

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