Has there been a high number of car crashes into Columbus buildings this year?

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – Cars have crashed into numerous Columbus businesses and structures this year, from the Easton Town Center sign to Fox in the Snow Cafe and a local pub.

However, while these incidents garnered widespread social media attention, Battalion Chief of the Columbus Division of Fire Jeffrey Geitter said car-on-structure crashes in Columbus have actually been declining over the past few years.

“With social media and just some of the buildings that have been struck, it may seem that we've seen an uptick, but as the data shows, we actually have not, but it doesn't lessen the situations,” Geitter said.

From the beginning of this year through June 1, the Columbus Division of Fire has been dispatched to 102 incidents involving a vehicle colliding with a building or structure, according to the most recent data. 

When looking at 2022 and 2023, there were higher numbers of car-on-structure crashes both years compared with the same time period in 2024. In 2022, from the beginning of the year through June 1, firefighters were dispatched to 132 incidents. For that same time period in 2023, the fire department was dispatched to 115 incidents. The total number of vehicle crashes into buildings or structures was 313 in 2022 and 279 in 2023, Geitter said.

“We should always try to minimize distracted driving, drinking and driving,” Geitter said. “All of the causes that you see typically in regular car crashes end up impacting vehicles into structures as well.”

Columbus businesses and structures struck in 2024

COTA bus stop

• On March 22, a driver fled from law enforcement -- reaching speeds of 90 mph -- after striking a police cruiser. A short pursuit ended when the driver crashed into a COTA bus stop and a utility pole at Cleveland Avenue and East 4th Avenue.

Fox in the Snow

• On April 8, a car rammed into a Fox in the Snow Café, located at 1031 N. 4th St. The driver involved in the crash told Columbus police that he was heading north on 4th Street when he started to feel lightheaded. He began to pull his car over to the left, but did not remember anything beyond that point. 

Easton Town Center sign

• In another incident occurring on April 8, a police chase ended with a car attempting to make a high-speed left turn before slamming into a sign for Easton Town Center, at the intersection of Easton Way and Stelzer Road.

Franklinton Cycle Works

• On Aug. 25, a driver “lost control” of their vehicle before crashing into Franklinton Cycle Works, located at 897 W. Broad St., Executive Director Jonathan Youngman said. 

Char Bar 

• On Sept. 1, a suspected drunk driver ran into Char Bar, located at 439 N. High St., Columbus police said.

Other car crashes into structures this year in the Columbus area include:

• April 9: Restaurant Equippers, located at 635 W. Broad St.
• April 23: Westerville Golf Center, located at 450 W. Schrock Rd.
• May 6: Zen Yoga, located at 3242 N. High St.
• May 31: Dollar General, located at 3150 Hilliard Rome Road. 
• June 4: Bravo, located at 1803 Olentangy River Road.
• July 12: Buckeye Hibachi, located at 5609 Chatterton Road.