Sarosh Sheth Killed in Columbus Pedestrian Accident
Driver arrested on suspicion of DUI after speeding Mustang strikes two people on sidewalk
Sarosh Sheth, 21, of Warren, was killed in a pedestrian crash on North High Street in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, according to the Columbus Division of Police.
The driver of a Ford Mustang traveling at a high rate of speed ran a red light and struck two people on the sidewalk before crashing into a parked vehicle in a Kroger parking lot. Officers arrested the drivers at the scene on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Paramedics transported Sheth, an Ohio State University neuroscience major, to Wexner Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.
The second person struck on the sidewalk was also taken to the hospital in critical condition. An passengers inside the parked car suffered injuries and was listed in stable condition.
The Accident Investigation Unit is handling the case. Authorities suspect alcohol and narcotics played a role in the collision, though formal charges are pending and the driver's name has not been released.
Why did the Mustang leave the road on North High Street?
Investigators are working to determine the exact sequence of events that led the speeding vehicle onto the sidewalk. In pedestrian accidents such as this, traffic safety analysts point to intersection design and driver behavior as critical factors.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Speed changes everything in a pedestrian collision, because the line between a survivable injury and a deadly outcome can come down to a few miles per hour."
"Crash forces leave marks on pavement and inside a vehicle computer, and a legal team can move quickly to preserve both records before repairs erase the evidence, shielding surviving relatives from rushed offers," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
According to the NHTSA, 7,080 pedestrians were killed in U.S. traffic crashes in 2024. Ohio recorded 150 pedestrian deaths in 2023, with a substantial share involving suspected alcohol or drug impairment.
What are the legal implications of a DUI pedestrian collision?
While criminal charges address the driver's actions, families of victims often face a separate legal process. When analyzing pedestrian accidents, legal practitioners emphasize the vulnerability of people on sidewalks.
Individuals involved in pedestrian accidents 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.
"Pedestrians carry no protection, no frame, no belt, and no airbag between a body and thousands of pounds of moving metal, so catastrophic outcomes come as no surprise. It is always a driver’s duty to yield to any pedestrian," said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal.
Formica, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, noted, "Because injuries are often severe beyond recovery, a legal team can focus on preserving physical evidence, arranging an independent vehicle inspection, and easing the sudden financial strain now falling on surviving relatives."