COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A teenager is in custody following a crash that killed two individuals on Saturday afternoon.
According to Columbus Police, the 17-year-old male was fleeing from officers who attempted a traffic stop when he collided with another vehicle at the intersection of Hamilton and 19th avenues. The victims, identified as 71-year-old Franklin Ward and 52-year-old Tessa Berry, were passengers in the vehicle.
Authorities reported that the teen was traveling westbound on 19th Avenue when he failed to yield at a stop sign, striking the northbound Saturn. Berry died at the scene; Ward was transported to Grant Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Officers had originally attempted to stop the teenager's vehicle, a Prius, near Cleveland and Maynard avenues due to suspicions of its involvement in a prior crime. Witnesses reported that the driver accelerated away before a pursuit could be initiated.
Three occupants of the Prius, including the driver, were taken into custody. The intersection remained closed for several hours for investigation by the Franklin County Coroner's Office and the Ohio Highway Patrol. Further details regarding the investigation are pending.