Jodi Tackett Killed in Columbus Pedestrian Accident
The at-fault driver faces multiple felony charges, including aggravated vehicular homicide and OVI
Jodi Tackett, 45, was killed in a pedestrian accident when a suspected impaired driver struck parked vehicles on Interstate 270 South near Georgesville Road in Columbus, Ohio, early Monday, April 13, according to the Columbus Division of Police.
Jaricah Wright, 30, faces multiple felony charges including aggravated vehicular homicide, operating a vehicle while under the influence and failing to stop after an accident. A Franklin County grand jury indicted the Hamilton Township resident after a blood test revealed a 0.136% blood alcohol content, court records show.
Investigators said the driver of a 2011 Audi A4 was initially traveling the wrong direction before self-correcting and losing control at approximately 2:40 a.m. The Audi slammed into the back of a parked Toyota Corolla, propelling it into a minivan where two people were changing a tire.
Paramedics pronounced the 45-year-old woman dead at the scene.
A second person who was changing the tire suffered serious injuries and was taken to a local hospital in critical condition.
The at-fault driver fled on foot but was detained nearby on Georgesville Square Drive.
Court records indicate the suspect was driving with a suspended license and has three prior OVI convictions within the last decade.
Families of victims like Tackett are often left reeling after a roadside emergency turns fatal due to another driver's suspected impairment. While police piece together the exact sequence of events on the I-270 shoulder, National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "Nobody thinks a routine trip to the store will end in a tragedy that brings immense grief to families. Fatalities at intersections often occur because of a stale green light, where drivers accelerate too quickly to beat the yellow."
How did the Audi lose control on Interstate 270?
The collision highlights the extreme vulnerability of pedestrians and stranded drivers on highway shoulders. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, pedestrians account for 12% of all traffic death in the state, despite representing only 1% of total crashes.
What are the legal options for families after a fatal DUI crash?
While the at-fault driver faces severe criminal penalties, including a $1 million bond for aggravated vehicular homicide, criminal proceedings operate separately from civil claims. Families navigating the aftermath of an impaired driving crash often require independent legal advocacy to secure their future.
"We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital," said National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, of Counsel at Counsel at Bond Legal. "A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their best interests are taken care of. Relatives of wrongful death victims are entitled to seek damages for the loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a tragic or catastrophic accident."
Ohio wrongful death statute
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 2125.01, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Ohio applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.