A quiet Saturday morning in east Columbus turned tragic when a 36-year-old woman lost her life in a single-car crash. Maxine Ohakim was driving her white Honda CR-V around 3:03 a.m. near East Main Street. She was getting onto the northbound ramp for Interstate 270 when things went wrong.
For reasons police still cannot explain, Ohakim’s vehicle left the roadway. The Honda struck a metal light pole standing along the edge of the ramp. The collision damaged the vehicle heavily and left Ohakim trapped inside.
Emergency responders rushed to the scene off East Main Street within minutes of receiving the call. Paramedics worked quickly to free Ohakim from the wrecked SUV. She was the only person inside the vehicle at the time.
First responders rushed Ohakim to Mount Carmel East in critical condition. Medical staff tried to save her life, but her injuries were too severe. She died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Columbus police officers closed off the entrance ramp for hours to gather evidence. They measured tire marks, checked the damaged Honda, and examined the impacted light pole. No other vehicles were involved, and no one else was hurt.
Investigators with the Columbus Police Department’s Accident Investigation Unit are trying to figure out what happened right before the vehicle hit the pole. Traffic was light at that hour, and roads were clear. Officers have not said if mechanical trouble, speed, or other factors caused the crash.
Police want to talk with anyone who was driving near East Main Street and I-270 around 3:00 a.m. Witnesses or anyone with information can reach the Accident Investigation Unit at 614-645-4767. Anonymous tips can go to Central Ohio Crime Stoppers at 614-461-8477.
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