Kokosing offers $100,000 reward after hit-and-run crash kills worker in I-70 construction zone

Reward announced as investigators seek the driver who left the scene

A construction company has announced a $100,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest after a worker was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash in a work zone on Interstate 70 near the State Route 315 interchange in Columbus.

The victim was identified as Jordan Thomas, 25, who was working overnight on February 28, 2026 in the area of I-70 and SR 315 near downtown Columbus. Police have said the crash occurred at about 2 a.m. in the westbound lanes, within an active construction zone.

What investigators say happened in the work zone

Investigators say a maroon Toyota sedan, described as an early-2000s model, was traveling westbound on I-70 approaching SR 315 when it entered the construction zone and struck Thomas. Police also reported the vehicle hit a generator. The driver left the scene, and the case is being investigated as a fatal hit-skip.

Authorities have not announced an arrest or publicly identified a suspect. The reward is intended to encourage tips that help identify the driver and support a criminal case.

Context: downtown interstate reconstruction and overnight work schedules

The crash occurred amid long-running reconstruction work tied to the broader I-70/I-71 downtown corridor project, which has brought shifting traffic patterns, lane restrictions, and ramp changes around the SR 315 interchange. Major downtown interstate projects commonly use overnight work windows to reduce traffic disruption, which can place crews in active travel corridors during low-light hours when speeds may be higher and visibility can be reduced.

How tip-based investigations typically move forward

In fatal hit-and-run investigations, investigators often rely on a combination of witness accounts, video from nearby roadway cameras or private security systems, and physical evidence from the crash scene. Vehicle descriptions, repair records, and damage patterns can become central when seeking to connect a specific vehicle to a collision.

Police have described the suspect vehicle as a maroon Toyota sedan from the early 2000s.

What information is most useful to investigators

• Reports of a maroon early-2000s Toyota sedan with recent front-end or undercarriage damage
• Video showing the vehicle traveling near I-70 westbound around the SR 315 interchange shortly before or after 2 a.m. on February 28, 2026
• Information about drivers who discussed involvement in a crash or sought urgent repairs immediately afterward
• Any details that can help establish the vehicle’s route, occupant(s), or license plate

The investigation remains active. Police and the company are continuing to seek information that could identify the driver and clarify the events leading up to the fatal crash.