In the early hours of Sunday morning, a tragic collision between a Columbus police cruiser and a Chevy Silverado on West Broad Street in Franklinton resulted in the death of 30-year-old Corey Tinnes. The incident, which has now become the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, highlights the dangers of high-speed police responses and raises questions about the handling of emergency situations.
According to witness Savina Mohammed, who was at the scene, the crash unfolded in a split second. “It was a big bang,” she recalled. “The car was turning, and the cop went through the red light. I saw they had their sirens on; they went through the light, hit the car.” Mohammed’s account sheds light on the chaotic nature of the accident, suggesting that the police cruiser may have been speeding through the intersection with its sirens on, while Tinnes’ Silverado was likely making a turn.
The Franklin County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that Tinnes succumbed to his injuries shortly after the crash. He was driving the Silverado when the cruiser collided with him, leaving a tragic mark on the Franklinton neighborhood. A Columbus police officer was also involved in the incident and sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The officer was taken to a nearby hospital, but authorities have not yet released their name.
The cruiser, which was responding to a reported burglary in progress, had its emergency lights flashing and sirens blaring at the time of the accident. Police officials have confirmed that the officer was en route to the scene when the crash occurred, but details about the exact sequence of events remain unclear. Was the officer speeding through the red light too quickly? Was the intersection blocked or obscured by poor visibility? These are all questions that the Ohio State Highway Patrol hopes to answer in their investigation.
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 President Brian Steel addressed the situation, emphasizing the importance of an unbiased, fact-based investigation. “There’s going to be a fact-based investigation, and we will see what the outcome of the investigation is. If the officer got it wrong, that officer will be held accountable,” Steel said. His words offer a sense of reassurance to the public that no stone will be left unturned in determining the truth behind the crash.
As the investigation continues, a sense of unease lingers. Police body cam footage, dashcam recordings, and 911 calls have all been requested by ABC 6 in the hope of uncovering more details surrounding the incident. What’s clear is that the crash has left a grieving family and a shaken community, and questions remain about how such a devastating event could have been avoided.
In the coming weeks, as more information is made available, the community will likely continue to grapple with the loss of Tinnes and the circumstances that led to the collision. In the meantime, residents of Franklinton are left to reflect on the tragic consequences of a late-night police chase and the vulnerable lives caught in the middle of high-speed emergency responses.
