COLUMBUS, Ohio — A driver accused in a Feb. 13 wrong-way crash on I-71 near East Broad Street appeared in court Thursday.
According to court records, Joe Howard faced charges including driving under the influence. A judge kept him on recognizance release with drug and alcohol screening and no driving without a valid license.
Police said Howard was intoxicated and traveling the wrong way on I-71 when his vehicle struck a truck and a semi. Investigators said Sean Price stopped to check the crash when another semi hit him, killing him.
Authorities said Askar Ismail is also charged with vehicular manslaughter, a second-degree misdemeanor. According to charging documents, police allege Ismail failed to maintain an assured clear distance ahead; documents say he was not reckless or impaired.