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Wrong-way driver crashes into Kia on I-270 near Cleveland Avenue, killing Columbus man

A 51-year-old Columbus man was killed and another driver was critically injured early Thursday when a pickup traveling the wrong way on I-270 struck a Kia near Cleveland Avenue. The interstate was closed for about five hours before all eastbound lanes reopened.

Wrong-way driver crashes into Kia on I-270 near Cleveland Avenue, killing Columbus man
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A 51-year-old man was killed and another driver was critically injured early Thursday in a wrong-way crash on Interstate 270 near Cleveland Avenue, Columbus police said. Officers were called to I-270 East at about 12:30 a.m. after a crash was reported. Police said a Ram 2500 entered the interstate from an exit ramp and continued eastbound in the wrong direction. The pickup struck the front of a Kia Optima. The impact pushed the Kia into the median wall, while the Ram came to rest on top of the car, according to police. The Kia driver, identified as Mario Tufts-Davison, was pronounced dead at 12:40 a.m. The driver of the Ram was taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital in critical condition. All eastbound lanes of I-270 were closed for roughly five hours while investigators worked at the scene. The lanes later reopened. The crash remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the vehicles or driver is asked to contact the Columbus Division of Police Accident Investigation Unit at 614-645-4767 or Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.

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