COLUMBUS – Authorities say a Westerville couple were killed when their SUV was struck by a tractor-trailer on I-270 on the North Side Tuesday morning, closing down the interstate for the entire morning.
NORTH SIDE: I-270 EB is CLOSED at Sr-315 due to a crash. The RAMPS from SR-315 to I-270 EB are also CLOSED. Follow OHGO for updates. pic.twitter.com/GUSkLVcDay
— ODOT Columbus (@ODOT_Columbus) April 21, 2020
Columbus police say the tractor-trailer was heading east on I-270 just before 8:00 a.m. when Albert Abaka-Sampson either slowed the 2008 Saturn Vue he was driving “to a very slow speed” or brough it to “a complete stop” on the overpass over Worthington-Galena Road and was struck from behind by the rig, driven by Earnest Steele, 70, of Englewood.
Abaka-Sampson, 62, and his 60-year-old wife, Helen, who was riding in the front passenger seat, were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police didn’t report any injuries to Steele.
The freeway was closed at State Route 315 and did not reopen until shortly after noon.
The Accident Investigation Unit continues to investigate the incident