A collision early Wednesday morning left a 22-year-old man dead after his SUV was rear-ended by a semi-truck on I-71 North near the I-670 interchange. According to Columbus police, the crash happened around 1:40 a.m. when a Nissan Rogue came to a stop in the middle of the highway for reasons still under investigation. An International semi-truck then struck the SUV from behind. The SUV’s driver, Jahara Tunkara, was taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and later pronounced dead.
When I read about a semi striking a stopped vehicle, I immediately think about the importance of following distance and alertness—especially on highways where speeds are high. But this case also raises questions about why the SUV came to a stop in the middle of the roadway in the first place.
Was the Semi-Truck Following Too Closely?
Even if a vehicle stops unexpectedly, truck drivers are trained to maintain a safe following distance that allows them to brake in time. A full investigation should examine whether the semi was following at a reasonable distance given the conditions. Investigators may also need to consider the truck’s speed and whether the driver gave themselves enough time—or space—to react before the crash.
Could a Mechanical Defect Have Caused the SUV to Stop?
It’s not typical for a vehicle to stop in the middle of a highway without warning. One possibility is a mechanical failure, such as an engine stall or transmission failure, which could have left the Nissan Rogue immobilized. Investigators should inspect the SUV’s systems to determine if a defect or malfunction forced the driver to stop in an unsafe location.
What Evidence Should Be Reviewed?
Key pieces of evidence include the truck’s engine control module (ECM) data, which can show how fast the vehicle was traveling and whether the brakes were applied. Police should also analyze skid marks, roadway debris, and dashcam or ODOT highway camera footage to reconstruct what happened. A mechanical inspection of the SUV is equally important to determine if a sudden failure contributed to the incident.
Why a Full Investigation Is Critical
Fatal highway crashes involving large trucks require careful analysis. There may be multiple contributing factors—from driver actions to mechanical defects—that help explain what really happened. In my experience, a thorough investigation often uncovers critical details that might otherwise be overlooked but are crucial to providing answers to those affected by the accident.