6 Vehicles Involved In Christmas Day Crash

COLUMBUS, Ohio —A serious injury crash on the city’s South Side shutdown a major freeway Christmas morning.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS Friday.

Interstate 270 westbound was shutdown at Interstate 71 on the city’s South Side for several hours.

Six vehicles were involved in what the sheriff’s office said was a wrong-way crash.

Authorities said a driver was driving the wrong way and going about 80 to 100 mph.

Original reports indicated that the driver of a Nissan Maxima was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes of Interstate 270 on the city’s South Side.

At about 10:13 a.m., 911 dispatchers started receiving several calls that a white Nissan Maxima was driving westbound in the eastbound lanes on I-270 from Alum Creek, running vehicles off the road. At approx. 10:19 a.m., the Maxima collided with five other vehicles, sending several people to different area hospitals, many with serious injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.

Reports said 24-year-old Altunar Baltazar, who was the driver of the Nissan, was taken to OSU Medical Center in life-threatening condition.

Original reports indicated at least one person was killed in the accident. Those reports, though confirmed with authorities, were incorrect.

Alcohol and speed were suspected factors in the crash. 

The roadway re-opened for traffic around 3:30 p.m. 

The crash remained under investigation.

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