Man Charged in Deadly Crash Now Faces Federal Gun Counts

Tyler Brandon arrested after police pursuit that killed elderly couple in Columbus

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:54pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a 9mm handgun magazine loaded with ammunition, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually representing the gun violence and law enforcement challenges in this story.A recent wave of gun violence and high-speed police chases has led to tragic outcomes for innocent bystanders in Columbus.Columbus Today

A 20-year-old man is facing federal gun charges weeks after he was arrested along with a teenage driver following a high-speed police chase that ended in a deadly crash in Columbus, Ohio. Tyler Brandon was found with a handgun and ammunition despite being a convicted felon, leading to the new federal charges.

Why it matters

The case highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence and repeat offenders in Columbus, where violent crime rates have remained stubbornly high in recent years. It also raises questions about the role of law enforcement pursuits and whether they sometimes lead to tragic outcomes for innocent bystanders.

The details

According to court documents, police were pursuing a 17-year-old driver in a red Toyota Prius linked to a recent shooting when the teen ran a stop sign and crashed into another vehicle, killing 71-year-old Franklin Ward and his 52-year-old wife Tessa Berry. When officers apprehended Tyler Brandon, who was also in the Prius, they found a 9mm handgun and loaded magazine near him despite his prior felony conviction for aggravated robbery.

  • The incident occurred on March 14, 2026.
  • Brandon was charged in federal court on April 3, 2026.

The players

Tyler Brandon

A 20-year-old man who was arrested and charged with federal gun crimes following the deadly crash.

Franklin Ward

A 71-year-old man who was killed in the crash along with his wife.

Tessa Berry

The 52-year-old wife of Franklin Ward who was also killed in the crash.

The 17-year-old driver

The teenage driver of the Prius who led police on the chase and caused the fatal collision.

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What’s next

Brandon is scheduled for a resentencing hearing on his previous aggravated robbery conviction, and the federal gun charges could result in additional prison time.

The takeaway

This tragic incident underscores the need for comprehensive criminal justice reform to address the root causes of gun violence, repeat offenses, and high-speed police pursuits that endanger innocent lives in Columbus and other cities.