Franklin County coroner identifies 22-year-old killed after SUV stopped on I-71 near downtown Columbus
Identification released in early-morning interstate fatal crash
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office has identified the man who died following a crash on Interstate 71 near downtown Columbus as 22-year-old Jahara Tunkara.
The collision occurred in the early morning hours of April 2, 2025, on I-71 northbound near the Interstate 670 interchange, an area where multiple ramps and merging lanes compress traffic into a short stretch of roadway. Emergency responders pronounced Tunkara dead later that morning after he was taken to a hospital.
What investigators say happened on I-71
Based on information released by Columbus police, Tunkara was driving a Nissan Rogue northbound when the vehicle came to a stop in the travel lanes for reasons that had not been determined at the time of the initial police briefing. An International semi-trailer truck traveling in the same direction then struck the rear of the SUV.
The crash was reported at about 1:40 a.m. Tunkara was transported to the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 2:23 a.m. Police said no other injuries were reported.
Location: I-71 northbound near the I-670 interchange, north of downtown Columbus
Time reported: Approximately 1:40 a.m., April 2, 2025
Vehicles involved: Nissan Rogue and an International semi-trailer truck
Status of cause: The reason the SUV stopped had not been publicly determined at the time of the release
Traffic impacts and scene conditions
The crash triggered significant lane closures in a corridor that frequently serves as a principal north-south route through central Columbus. Authorities closed portions of I-71 in both directions for a period, with southbound lanes reopening first. Police also reported the semi-truck leaked fuel, contributing to extended restrictions on the northbound side while crews worked at the scene.
What remains unknown
As of the last official update tied to the identification, investigators had not released a determination of why the Nissan Rogue stopped in active lanes, nor whether mechanical failure, a medical emergency, or another factor played a role. No charges were announced in the information released at that time, and the investigation was described as ongoing.
Anyone with information relevant to the crash is typically urged by investigators to contact the appropriate traffic-crash unit as cases remain under review.
Additional findings, including crash reconstruction conclusions and any potential enforcement action, are expected to depend on investigative results and any available camera footage, physical evidence, and witness statements.