Sherry Bauman, a beloved Westwind‑Oak Run resident and long‑time member of the Hilliard community, was killed in a car crash near the intersection of Roberts Road and Windflower Road on Christmas Eve afternoon. The collision, which happened around 12:55 p.m. on December 24, left her dead and two others injured, turning what should have been a festive holiday into a moment of deep sorrow for her family and neighbors.
Friends and relatives remember Sherry as a warm soul who spent more than three decades teaching preschool gymnastics and lifting up local children and families. On social media and in private conversations, loved ones describe her as someone who would brighten up any room she entered, and whose loss is being felt keenly across the neighborhood. A GoFundMe organized to support her daughters highlights the community’s grief and effort to help with funeral expenses and meals during this painful time.
According to police reports, Sherry was driving her vehicle and preparing to make a turn from Windflower Road onto Roberts Road when the fatal crash occurred. The roadway at that cross streets is part of a busy stretch on Columbus’ west side that residents have long said struggles to handle daily traffic safely. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene, while two other people involved in the collision were taken to local hospitals with injuries that are expected to require treatment and recovery.
Sherry’s daughter and close friends have told reporters and neighbors that Roberts Road has become more dangerous over the years. They say increasing development in the area without corresponding safety upgrades has made turning and crossing the road hazardous, especially during peak travel times. Many locals say they fear that more serious accidents will follow unless something changes soon.
In the days after the crash, neighbors started talking openly about their concerns, and some have begun advocating for a formal traffic study and improvements at the intersection. Residents are urging city officials to consider adding better signage, traffic control devices, or even a full signal to slow down vehicles and protect drivers and pedestrians alike. This tragic loss over the holiday weekend has become a rallying point for those who say they’ve felt unsafe on Roberts Road for too long.
The Columbus Division of Traffic Management has acknowledged that crashes along heavily traveled roads like Roberts Road are a serious concern, and officials say further evaluation will take place to see what safety measures might be most effective. For many in Sherry’s community, those steps can’t come soon enough.
As her family and friends mourn, they hope that the attention this crash has brought will lead to meaningful changes that prevent further heartbreak. Sherry’s sudden death on a day meant for celebration has left a void, and her loved ones are committed to seeing her legacy bring something positive to a place that gave her so much joy.
