Modou F. Ngom Charged in Fatal 9-Vehicle Crash on I-71
50-year-old driver faces vehicular homicide charges after 9-vehicle pileup in I-71 construction zone
Modou F. Ngom, 50, of Columbus, was charged with vehicular homicide after a nine-vehicle commercial truck accident that killed three people on Interstate 71 in Delaware County, on Saturday, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The 2006 Freightliner semi-truck driven by Ngom was traveling north when it failed to stop for backed-up traffic in a construction zone near the U.S. Route 36 interchange and crashed into several vehicles from behind, resulting in the nine-car crash. Ngom was taken into custody following the collision and booked into the Delaware County Jail.
The crash killed a 37-year-old man, a 36-year-old woman, and a 1-year-old child from Ashley, who were traveling in a Chevrolet Silverado. Three other people suffered serious injuries and were taken to local hospitals.
The collision sparked a fire and forced the closure of all northbound and southbound lanes for several hours. Investigators are examining how the Sunbury Parkway interchange construction project factored into the traffic backup.
The crash remains under investigation by the Highway Patrol, with assistance from the Delaware County Prosecutor's Office.
Why did the Freightliner fail to stop on Interstate 71?
While the Ohio State Highway Patrol reconstructs the nine-vehicle pileup, investigators will scrutinize the commercial driver's actions and the motor carrier's compliance records leading up to the construction zone. National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal, noted that "The data on driver fatigue tells a different story than what most trucking companies want to admit. Electronic logs don't lie, often revealing that a driver was behind the wheel long after they should've rested."
The crash adds to a rising toll across the nation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,354 deaths occurred in crashes involving large trucks in 2023, with passenger vehicle occupants accounting for 65% of those deaths.
How does the construction zone affect liability in Delaware County?
Families who lose loved ones in work zone collisions face complex investigations involving multiple corporate entities, including the trucking company and private construction contractors. National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Bond Legal, observed that "The physical pain of a major accident is only the start of a very long journey. Most people don't know that fleet telematics can show if a delivery driver was using their phone."
Individuals involved in commercial vehicle incidents may have legal options. Consulting a personal injury attorney can help clarify rights and potential claims.
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.