Columbus Police Identify Wrong-Way Driver in Fatal I-71 Crash

Joe Howard, 58, fled the scene but was later found and hospitalized for hypothermia.

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Columbus police have identified the wrong-way driver who triggered a fiery crash on Interstate 71 that resulted in the death of another man. Joe Howard, 58, was driving a minivan south in the northbound lanes near downtown Columbus when the crash occurred, hitting several other vehicles. The driver of one of the other vehicles, Sean Price, 53, was ejected and killed. Howard fled the scene on foot but was later located and hospitalized for hypothermia.

Why it matters

Wrong-way driving incidents on highways are extremely dangerous and often result in severe crashes. This case highlights the risks posed by such reckless behavior and the need for improved safety measures and enforcement to prevent these types of tragedies.

The details

According to the police crash report, Joe Howard was driving a Chrysler Town and Country minivan south in the northbound lanes of I-71 near East Broad Street just after 2 a.m. on February 13th. His minivan hit a northbound Ford F-150 pickup and a tractor-trailer. A Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck, driven by Sean Price, 53, tried to avoid crashing into the tractor-trailer but was rear-ended by another tractor-trailer. Price was ejected from his vehicle, which then burst into flames. He was transported to the hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead.

  • The crash occurred just after 2 a.m. on February 13, 2026.
  • Howard was located by police just after 8 a.m. on February 13, 2026, south of the crash scene and west of I-71.

The players

Joe Howard

A 58-year-old Columbus resident who was driving the wrong-way minivan that triggered the fatal crash on I-71.

Sean Price

The 53-year-old driver of the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck that was rear-ended and burst into flames, resulting in his death.

Askar Ismail

The 52-year-old Columbus resident who was driving the tractor-trailer that rear-ended the Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

As of late evening on February 16th, Joe Howard had not been charged with a crime in connection with the crash. A detective from the Columbus police Accident Investigation Unit said they are still determining whether any citations or charges will be issued.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for improved safety measures and enforcement to prevent wrong-way driving on highways, which can have devastating consequences for innocent motorists. The community is encouraged to come forward with any information that could aid the ongoing investigation.