Off-Duty Officer Loses Control On I-71 NB, Is Thrown Into SB Traffic

COLUMBUS, Ohio—An off-duty officer crashed his vehicle, was hit by another vehicle and thrown over a concrete median into oncoming traffic.

The crash closed Interstate 71 northbound for about 30 minutes Friday morning.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

Authorities closed the northbound lanes of I-71 at the 17th Avenue exit at about 6:20 a.m.

Thirteen-year CPD veteran Stephen Warrick was on his way home from work in his personal vehicle.

He lost control on I-71 northbound near Hudson Avenue at about 6 a.m.

“Due to the heavy rain, he hit a washout there,” CPD Public Information Officer Sgt. Rich Weiner said. “He lost control of his vehicle and hit the center wall.”

Warrick’s vehicle ended up in the left lane.

After radioing what happened to police, Warrick got out of his vehicle, fearing another driver would lose control. He was right.

“As he exited his vehicle, another vehicle lost control and started spinning towards him,” Weiner said.

Warrick tried to jump over the concrete median but was too late.

The vehicle hit his feet while he was in the air.

Warrick was thrown over the concrete median and into the left lane of the southbound side of I-71.

Fortunately, he had enough time to roll out of the way before he was struck by oncoming traffic.

“Once he got back to a safe area, he was able to air additional information as to what just occurred,” Weiner said.

Warrick was alert during his transport to OSU Medical Center Main.

Warrick ended up with only bumps and bruises. The other driver wasn’t hurt.

“He realizes how lucky he was,” Weiner.

The northbound lanes were reopened to traffic at about 6:46 a.m.

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