Fiery Multi-Vehicle Crash Shuts Down I-71 in Delaware County

A massive collision involving multiple vehicles and fire brought traffic to a standstill on Interstate 71 in Delaware County this past Saturday. The crash, which occurred near the U.S. 36 and State Route 37 interchange, resulted in fatalities and serious injuries, forcing authorities to close the highway in both directions for several hours.

Incident Details and Emergency Response

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) reports that the crash happened just before 6:30 p.m. On Saturday. The collision took place near the Tanger Outlets Columbus shopping mall area. Traffic cameras from the Ohio Department of Transportation captured heavy smoke and flames emanating from at least one of the vehicles involved.

While initial reports from some sources mentioned eight vehicles, OSHP dispatchers later confirmed that 12 vehicles were involved in the wreckage. The severity of the crash led to an immediate shutdown of all lanes to allow emergency crews to access the scene.

Casualties and Injuries

The human toll of the accident was significant. By 7 p.m. Saturday, dispatchers stated that three individuals had been transported to area hospitals in unknown condition. In a later update provided around 10:45 p.m., the Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed that the crash was fatal, though they did not specify the exact number of deaths.

Traffic Impact and Road Closures

The crash caused significant gridlock in the region. Both directions of I-71 were closed at the US-36/SR-37 interchange. Even as the investigation progressed into the late evening, the northbound lanes remained shut down as of 10:45 p.m. Saturday.

Key Takeaways

• Location: I-71 near U.S. 36 and State Route 37 in Delaware County.
• Scale: 12 vehicles were involved in the collision.
• Outcome: The crash was confirmed fatal; three people were hospitalized.
• Closure: Both directions of the interstate were closed Saturday evening.

Current Status

The incident remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol to determine the cause of the multi-vehicle collision. Drivers are encouraged to monitor local traffic alerts for any remaining delays in the Delaware County area.