COLUMBUS, Franklin County, Ohio, Sept. 24, 2026 — A 26-year-old man died after he was struck by a pickup truck Wednesday night, September 23, in southeast Columbus, according to the Columbus Division of Police.
The crash happened at the intersection of South Hamilton Road and Blakestone Lane just after 11:30 p.m., police said. A Chevrolet Silverado was headed south on South Hamilton Road approaching the intersection when the pedestrian, identified by police as Elijah Tompkins, reportedly tried to cross from west to east against a "Don't Walk" signal. Authorities said the traffic light for South Hamilton Road was green at the time.
The right front of the truck struck Tompkins and knocked him down, stated the Columbus Division of Police. He was taken to Mount Carmel East, where he was pronounced dead at 12:13 a.m.
The driver of the Silverado remained at the scene, officials said. No charges have been announced, and the crash remains under investigation by the Columbus police Accident Investigation Unit.
We extend our sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
How Investigators Piece Together a Fatal Pedestrian Crash
Officers who respond to a fatal pedestrian crash first work to secure the scene and get medical help moving, then shift into documentation mode. They measure skid marks, map where debris and personal items landed, and photograph signal timing and crosswalk markings before anything is cleared away. In many departments, a dedicated accident investigation or reconstruction unit takes over from patrol officers to handle this part of the work.
Reconstruction specialists use the physical evidence, along with data pulled from a vehicle's onboard systems, to estimate speed and reaction time and to figure out where each person was in the roadway at the moment of impact. Witness statements get collected and cross-checked, and if there's nearby surveillance or dashcam video, investigators will request and review it. A full technical reconstruction can take weeks.
Names are typically withheld until a coroner's office or medical examiner confirms identity and next of kin have been notified, which is why early reports sometimes describe a victim only by age. Toxicology results, when relevant, can take several weeks to come back from a lab. Families are left waiting on a final report long after the initial incident, and that gap is a normal part of a process built to get the facts right rather than fast.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 7,314 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in 2023.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are pedestrian crashes more common at night?
Reduced visibility plays a role in a large share of pedestrian deaths, and many happen after dark or during evening hours when drivers have less time to see and react to someone in the roadway.
What should a pedestrian do after being hit by a car?
If possible, call 911 immediately, stay as still as safe to avoid worsening any injury, and seek a full medical evaluation even if pain doesn't show up right away. Get the names of officers who respond and ask how to obtain a copy of the police report.
Who has the right of way at a crosswalk?
Pedestrians generally have the right of way in a marked or unmarked crosswalk when a signal allows them to cross, but that right doesn't apply the same way when a pedestrian enters against a "Don't Walk" signal. Drivers are still expected to use caution and yield when they reasonably can, regardless of signal timing.
What to Do After a Pedestrian Crash in Columbus, OH
Anyone who witnesses or is involved in a pedestrian crash should call 911 right away and avoid moving an injured person unless there's immediate danger. Even minor-seeming injuries can turn out to involve internal trauma, so a prompt medical exam is worth getting regardless of how someone feels in the moment.
It helps to write down what was seen or experienced as soon as possible, since memory fades quickly after a stressful event. If there were other witnesses nearby, exchanging contact information can support the police investigation later. Anyone with information relevant to an open case should reach out to the department handling it directly rather than posting details publicly.
