Two drivers face charges after fatal chain-reaction crash on I-71 near downtown Columbus

What investigators say happened

Two drivers have been charged in connection with a deadly chain-reaction crash that shut down Interstate 71 near downtown Columbus in the early hours of Feb. 13, 2026. The collision sequence unfolded on I-71 North near the East Broad Street exit and involved multiple vehicles, including at least one pickup truck and semi-trucks. One person died.

Video from highway cameras and crash documentation describe an initial impact triggered by a vehicle traveling the wrong way in the northbound lanes. That collision left vehicles stopped or moving slowly in the roadway. Minutes later, a second crash occurred when a semi-truck struck a pickup truck that was slowed or stopped after the first impact, causing a chain reaction and fire conditions at the scene.

Drivers identified and key timeline

Police identified the wrong-way driver as Joe Howard, 58, of Columbus. Investigators said he was operating a Chrysler Town & Country minivan southbound in the northbound lanes shortly before 2 a.m. when the first collision occurred near the East Broad Street interchange area.

After the crash sequence, the wrong-way driver was not located at the scene. A crash report notes he was found roughly six hours later and was taken for medical evaluation, including treatment for hypothermia.

Charges and what remains unresolved

Authorities have announced that two drivers are charged as the investigation proceeds. The publicly described investigative focus includes the wrong-way operation that preceded the first collision and the driving actions leading to the later impact that intensified the pileup and fire.

At this stage, key evidentiary questions in the case include:

• the route and entry point that led to a vehicle traveling against traffic on I-71;
• the speed and lane position of vehicles approaching the initial crash scene;
• visibility and reaction time factors in the minutes between the first collision and the later chain-reaction impact;
• the sequence of vehicle contacts that produced the fatal injuries.

Why chain-reaction cases can be complex

Investigations of chain-reaction crashes typically rely on synchronized sources of evidence, including roadway video, vehicle damage patterns, electronic data (when available), and scene measurements. When an initial collision forces traffic to stop or slow abruptly, later impacts may involve separate decision points for approaching drivers, making liability and charging decisions highly fact-specific.

The Feb. 13, 2026 crash closed I-71 near downtown Columbus for hours as crews investigated and cleared damaged vehicles.

What’s next

The criminal cases will move through court, where prosecutors must prove the charged offenses beyond a reasonable doubt. Additional disclosures in filings and hearings are expected to clarify the precise counts, the second charged driver’s alleged conduct, and the detailed reconstruction timeline.